Paulina Wojtyła-Buciora

Assessing physical activity and sedentary lifestyle behaviours for children and adolescents living in a district of Poland. What are the key determinants for improving health

INTRODUCTION Adequate levels of physical activity throughout an individuals life ensure an optimal state of health. Only 30% of adolescents and 10% of adults perform sufficient physical activity to facilitate proper physical, psychological/mental and emotional development. OBJECTIVE Determining physical activity behaviour in children and adolescents through surveying the opinions of school pupils and parents, in order to lend support for optimised educational programmes designed to promote healthy lifestyle behaviour, as well as establishing consistent answers. MATERIALS AND METHODS A randomised survey was conducted on two groups of n=1100 pupil subjects, each attending elementary or secondary school, with the former in Classes 5 and 6, whereas the latter were aged between 16-19 years old; in both instances parents were also included in the survey. All subjects came from the Kalisz District in western-central Poland, and were divided into those living in the city of Kalisz and those in the surrounding rural areas. RESULTS It was found that 87%, 96% and 89% of elementary, middle and secondary school pupils, respectively, participated in Physical Education (PE) lessons. The numbers of pupils who daily, or almost daily, spent time on a computer, were 52%, 60% and 70%, respectively, for elementary, middle and secondary schools, and likewise 70%, 62% and 48% for watching TV. CONCLUSIONS It is vital that education programmes with a focus on a healthy lifestyle are introduced and targeted at teenagers in order to promote physical activity during the crucial time of the bodys development. The period of maturing into adulthood is particularly crucial for acquiring the right knowledge, convictions, skills and attitudes that help shape a pro-healthy lifestyle in later years.

Trends in smoking among secondary school and high school students in Poland, 2009 and 2011

OBJECTIVES To determine the age and the most common circumstances for smoking initiation along with smoking rates and to evaluate smoking trends for secondary and high school students in Poland during 2009 and 2011. MATERIAL AND METHODS In 2009, a pilot study was conducted in districts of Poland on high school students and their parents. For statistical analysis, correctly completed questionnaires from 999 students and 667 parents were qualified for use. After the pilot study, a nationwide study of secondary school students and their parents was also conducted in 2009. For statistical analysis, correctly completed questionnaires were used from 9360 students and 6951 from their parents. The research tool was a questionnaire developed by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate. These studies were then compared to the nationwide research study from 2011. Questionnaires were obtained from a survey of 3548 students from secondary schools and 4423 of those from high schools. RESULTS Smoking initiation usually begins at ages 12-15 years. Rates of secondary school student smoking at least once in their lifetime were about the same level in the surveyed years (2009 - 9%, 2011 - 11%), whereas rates of high school student smoking increased (2009 - 15%, 2011 - 24%). Moreover, 34% of secondary school student smoked less than once a week, whereas in 2009, only 8% of students had done so. For high school students, a 1/2 smoked every day; similar to 2009. Students usually smoked in parks, on streets or any other open space areas. CONCLUSIONS From analyzing the smoking trends over the survey period it can be concluded that the problem of smoking increases with respondent age. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(5):763-773.

Enzymatic activity of fungi isolated from crops

Aim To detect and assess the activity of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and to find differences in enzymograms between fungi isolated from wheat and rye samples and grown on Czapek-Dox Broth and Sabouraud Dextrose Broth enriched with cereal (wheat or rye). Isolated strains were also classified in the scale of biosafety levels (BSL). Material and methods The study used 23 strains of fungi cultured from samples of wheat and rye (grain, grain dust obtained during threshing and soil) collected in the Lublin region (eastern Poland). API ZYM test (bioMérieux) was carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Classification of BSL (Biosafety levels) was based on the current literature. Results High enzymatic activity was found in strains cultured in media containing 1% of wheat grain (Bipolaris holmi, Penicillium decumbens) and with an addition of 1% of rye grain (Cladosporium herbarum, Aspergillus versicolor, Alternaria alternata). The total number of enzymes varied depending on the type of media, and in most cases it was higher in the culture where an addition of cereal grains was used. Conclusions Isolated strains of fungi reveal differences in the profiles of the enzyme assay. It can be assumed that the substrate enriched in grains stimulate the higher activity of mold enzymes.

Authors’ response (December 7, 2017) to the letter to the Editor concerning the paper “Trends in smoking among secondary school and high school students in Poland, 2009 and 2011”

PAULINA WOJTYŁA-BUCIORA1,2, BARBARA STAWIŃSKA-WITOSZYŃSKA3, WIOLA ŻUKIEWICZ-SOBCZAK4, CEZARY WOJTYŁA5, PIOTR BILIŃSKI6, MONIKA URBANIAK7, ANDRZEJ WOJTYŁA2, JERZY T. MARCINKOWSKI8, and MAŁGORZATA WOJCIECHOWSKA9 1 Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Department of Physiology 2 State Higher Vocational School in Kalisz, Kalisz, Poland Faculty of Medicine 3 Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Chair of Social Medicine, Department of Epidemiology 4 Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, Biała Podlaska, Poland Department of Public Health 5 Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warszawa, Poland I Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology 6 Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland III Psychiatric Clinic 7 Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Chair and Department of Facility Management Organizations in Health Care 8 Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Chair of Social Medicine, Department of Hygiene 9 Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Department of Mother and Child Health

National survey of body mass and dietary behaviour for middle school, high school and university students

Introduction: According to a report from the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), there are 200 million overweight and obese school children in the world today. To assess body mass for students in Poland, in middle schools, high schools and universities, according to growth charts and BMI. Also, to investigate the link between chosen dietary habits and the risks to these subjects of being overweight and obese. Material and methods: The 13,566 subjects surveyed in 2011 consisted of middle school (3,548), high school (4,423) and university (5,595) students. The two younger groups received a questionnaire that had been devised by GIS (Poland’s Chief Sanitary Inspectorate) based on one previously used for the WHO’s global school-based student health survey (GSHS). An electronic questionnaire was used for the university students, made available at a designated internet site. Results: Overweight rates of 13%, 11% and 14% were found in students from middle-school, high-school and university. Overall obesity rates were 3%. Most subject ate three meals daily, although almost 1 in 5 said they ate only 1 to 2 meals daily. Snacking between meals was admitted by 84%, 89% and 89% of students, respectively, whereas corresponding rates for nighttime eating were 24%, 37% and 36%. Conclusions: The survey demonstrated that overweight status, according to growth charts and BMI, occurs in 13%, 11% and 14% of subjects in each student group, respectively. Overall, obesity accounts for 3% of respondents. Numerous instances of abnormal dietary habits were found, highlighted by irregular mealtimes, between-meal snacking and nighttime eating.

Evaluation of the Content of Selected Elements in Herbs Cultivated in Organic Farms in the Lublin Region

Herbal raw materials are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In the presented studies the content of selected elements in the herbs originating from organic farming in the Lublin region was determined. The research was done for three different herbs: common thyme, pink rock-rose, and nettle by means of an ICP OES SpectroBlue spectrometer. It was shown that the content of heavy metals in the tested samples does not exceed generally accepted norms. The amount of trace in the tested herbs is too low for human health to be the main source to meet the demand. However, they may be a supplement of a daily diet.

Malignant testicular tumour incidence and mortality trends

Aim of the study In Poland testicular tumours are the most frequent cancer among men aged 20–44 years. Testicular tumour incidence since the 1980s and 1990s has been diversified geographically, with an increased risk of mortality in Wielkopolska Province, which was highlighted at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s. The aim of the study was the comparative analysis of the tendencies in incidence and death rates due to malignant testicular tumours observed among men in Poland and in Wielkopolska Province. Material and methods Data from the National Cancer Registry were used for calculations. The incidence/mortality rates among men due to malignant testicular cancer as well as the tendencies in incidence/death ratio observed in Poland and Wielkopolska were established based on regression equation. The analysis was deepened by adopting the multiple linear regression model. A p-value < 0.05 was arbitrarily adopted as the criterion of statistical significance, and for multiple comparisons it was modified according to the Bonferroni adjustment to a value of p < 0.0028. Calculations were performed with the use of PQStat v1.4.8 package. Results The incidence of malignant testicular neoplasms observed among men in Poland and in Wielkopolska Province indicated a significant rising tendency. The multiple linear regression model confirmed that the year variable is a strong incidence forecast factor only within the territory of Poland. A corresponding analysis of mortality rates among men in Poland and in Wielkopolska Province did not show any statistically significant correlations. Conclusions Late diagnosis of Polish patients calls for undertaking appropriate educational activities that would facilitate earlier reporting of the patients, thus increasing their chances for recovery. Introducing preventive examinations in the regions of increased risk of testicular tumour may allow earlier diagnosis.

Drugs as important factors causing allergies.

Medications can cause many adverse reactions, both non-immunologic and immunologic ones. Allergies can take many forms, allergic reactions include all types of reactions according to Gell and Coombs. Typically, allergic reactions to drugs are manifested by skin lesions such as maculopapular rash or urticaria and life-threatening systemic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Allergy to drugs is diagnosed based on medical history and a number of specific tests: skin tests, blood tests. In diagnosing the causes of anaphylaxis, the basophil activation test is used to exclude false negative and false positive results of skin tests and specific IgE levels. Allergic reactions to medications usually resolve themselves after discontinuation of the drug. Sometimes in the treatment anti-allergic drugs are used to inhibit the development of skin lesions. After observing any signs of drug allergy it is important to accurately diagnose the cause, since the subsequent exposure to the drug may lead to a strong anaphylactic reaction and consequently death.

Alcohol consumption in Polish middle and high school pupils – has this rapidly increased during 2009–11?

INTRODUCTION The dynamic rise of alcohol consumption in adolescents is a matter of serious concern, requiring frequently updated monitoring. By such means, it is possible to optimise preventative measures for dealing with this problem. OBJECTIVE To estimate the magnitude/amount and frequency of alcohol consumed by middle and high school pupils in Poland, including the circumstances when alcohol was first drunk. MATERIALS AND METHODS A randomised survey was performed throughout Poland on middle school (junior high school) pupils, (n=9360) in 2009, followed by both middle and high school pupils in 2011 (n=7971). The questionnaire was devised by the Polish Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS). RESULTS A strikingly sharp increase in alcohol consumption (29%) was observed in subjects between 2009 - 2011. In the latter year, 1 month prior to survey, respectively, 50% and 71% of middle school and high school pupils drank alcohol, and correspondingly, 36% and 63% of these pupils ever became intoxicated/drunk. CONCLUSIONS 1) Adolescent alcohol consumption increases with age and is highest in girls. Monitoring as well as in-depth analysis thus becomes necessary. 2) Systematic monitoring and analysis of changing healthy lifestyle behaviour should be used for taking the necessary corrective action. This should happen concurrently and consist of planned health education programmes, including health promotion.