[Prevalence of growth and nutritional status disorders among Polish 13-year-olds in the first decade of 21st century].

AIM OF THE STUDY

to examine the prevalence of nutritional status and growth disorders in 13-year-olds in Poland by sex and place of residence and changes during the period 2005 to 2008.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

The study was conducted in 2008 as a part of prospective cohort follow-up study of 605 children (305 girls and 300 boys), from birth to 13 years. Analyses of anthropometric measurements: height and weight were performed. Institute of Mother and Child growth references for height-for-age and BMI-for-age (1999) were used to assess physical disorders.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overweight (BMI > or = 85th percentile) was 14% and underweight (BMI < 5 percentile) was 4,1%. Short stature (< 10th percentile of height) was found in 6%, and 6,2% were above 97th percentile of height. We found no statistically significant difference in nutritional and growth status disorders by sex and place of residence. The overall prevalence of overweight (including obesity) did not change from 2005 to 2008. Prevalence of underweight decreased especially among boys (9% to 3,1%, p=0,010) and among adolescents from rural area (8,2% to 4%, p=0,058). We found some evidence for equalization of the percentages of short stature in boys and girls, rural and urban adolescents. The tall stature rate rose only among girls (3,8% to 8,3%, p=0,050).

CONCLUSIONS

Disappearance of the prevalence of physical disorders by sex and place of residence has been observed in the last few years in Poland. Overweight among 13-year-olds is not growing and acceleration of height is still observed.