Katarzyna Klimek

Nutritional state of Polish prepubertal children assessed by population-specific and international standards.

Objective: To assess the frequency of obesity, overweight and underweight (thinness) in Polish 7–9‐year‐old children using a population specific definition as compared to the French, US and IOTF references based on body mass index (BMI).

Obesity risk factors in a representative group of Polish prepubertal children

Introduction The study aim was to evaluate risk factors of obesity in Polish children aged 7 to 9 years. Material and methods A representative group of 2571 children (1268 girls and 1303 boys) was randomly selected according to the European Childhood Obesity Group protocol. Weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. A questionnaire was completed by the childrens parents with respect to behavioural and family-related risk factors of obesity. International Obesity Task Force criteria were used for classification of childrens obesity. Results Obesity was found in 3.7% of girls and 3.6% of boys. There was a statistically significant association between the prevalence of obesity in girls and their mothers obesity: OR = 5.06 (1.96–13.05), p < 0.001, fathers obesity: OR = 5.19 (1.96–13.69), p < 0.001, and both parents’ obesity: OR = 5.43 (1.39–21.29), p = 0.01. Obesity in boys was significantly associated with mothers obesity: OR = 5.6 (2.6–12.02), p < 0.001, fathers obesity: OR = 6.21 (2.89–13.37), p < 0.001, and both parents’ obesity: OR = 7.22 (2.44–31.33), p < 0.001. Skipping or irregular eating of breakfast was a risk factor for obesity in girls with OR = 2.71 (1.33–5.51), p = 0.005. Neither family income nor parents’ education level was related to their offsprings obesity. TV watching, physical activity level and eating in fast food places were not significant risk factors for obesity. Conclusions Eating breakfast regularly seems to protect girls from obesity development while low physical activity is not a significant obesity risk factor in this age group for either boys or girls. This finding stresses the more important role of healthy diet than physical activity promotion in obesity prevention in prepubertal children.

Ten-year secular trend of overweight and obesity in school children in south-eastern Poland

OBJECTIVE To examine the trend in prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren from south-eastern Poland over a 10-year period. MATERIALS AND METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected primary schools. In total, 4,248 children (2,182 boys and 2,066 girls), mean age 10.5±2.4 years, were examined in 1998, and 2,412 children (1,184 boys and 1,228 girls), mean age 10.5±2.3 years in 2008. In each school the entire population was studied. RESULTS In 2008, the prevalence of overweight in girls was 13.3% and obesity 7.7%, compared to 12.0% and 10.1% in 1998. The decrease in obesity prevalence was statistically significant. In boys, the prevalence of overweight in 2008 was 14.2% and obesity 6.4%, compared to 10.5% and 6.8% in 1998. The increase in overweight prevalence among boys was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS A trend toward stabilization of the prevalence of overweight and obesity was noted in school children from south-eastern Poland between 1998-2008. The declining prevalence of obesity in girls and increased prevalence of overweight in boys demonstrates that in this age group of children the secular trend is gender dependent.

Lipid Profile in Adolescent Girls with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Hyperandrogenemia

Study Objectives. The study aim was to evaluate whether hyperandrogenemia in adolescent girls with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may adversely influence lipid profile. Design and Participants. Lipid levels in 16 diabetic girls with biochemical hyperandrogenemia (T1DM-H) aged 16.3 ± 1.2 years were compared to 38 diabetic girls with normal androgen levels (T1DM-N) aged 15.8 ± 1.2 years. 15 healthy girls served as controls (CG). In all patients, anthropometric measurements were done, and androgens and SHBG were assessed. Results. In T1DM-H, total cholesterol (TC) and low density cholesterol (LDL-ch) were significantly higher than in CG (196.1 ± 41.2 versus 162.7 ± 31.7 mg/dL, p = 0.01; 117.3 ± 33.1 versus 91.3 ± 27.8 mg/dL, p = 0.01, resp.). Their LDL-ch, non-high density cholesterol (non-HDL-ch) concentrations, and LDL/HDL ratio were also significantly higher than in T1DM-N (117.3 ± 33.1 versus 97.7 ± 26.7 mg/dL, p = 0.03; 137.3 ± 42.9 versus 113.3 ± 40.4 mg/dL, p = 0.04; 2.8 ± 3.7 versus 1.6 ± 0.5, p = 0.04, resp.). In stepwise multiple linear regression, free androgen index (FAI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were associated with TC (R 2 = 0.4, p < 0.0006), non-HDL-ch (R 2 = 0.4, p < 0.0003), and LDL-ch (R 2 = 0.4, p < 0.0008). Triglycerides and LDL/HDL ratio were (R 2 = 0.7, p < 0.0001, R 2 = 0.6, p < 0.0003 resp.) related to testosterone, FAI, WHR, and mean HbA1c. Conclusion. Lipid profile in diabetic adolescent girls is adversely influenced by the androgens level, particularly in the group with higher WHR and poorer glycemic control.