The weight status of school-age children and its association with gross domestic product.

THE AIM

To examine the possible relationship between the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity of Polish children and adolescents and the gross domestic product per capita (GDP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This report is based on the results of a nationwide, representative population study. An area of the country, the so-called Eastern Poland, where GDP per capita is less than 80% of the national average, was designated, based on the data from the Central Statistical Office of Poland (CSOP) and was compared with the rest of the country. The frequency of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity, as well as the odds ratio were calculated for gender and region of residence. The body mass index (BMI) for age and sex was standardized and expressed as z-score. The statistical significance of standardized mean differences of BMI depending on the area was examined using the t-test.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity between the regions analyzed. The region of Eastern Poland was characterized by a lower risk of overweight and obesity and an increased risk of underweight in comparison with the rest of the country.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of the diverse prevalence of overweight and underweight depending on the region and determined according to the economic status is an opportunity to modify and adapt the strategy of implementing programs aimed at promoting healthy behaviours.