[Assessment of nutritional status of prepubertal students in Southeast Poland]

The aim of the investigation was to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition, overweight and obesity in prepubertal schoolchildren from Southeast Poland and to obtain information on obesity risk factors in children. A representative national sample of 480 school children (252 girls and 228 boys) between 8-9 years old was selected from 23 schools from Southeast Poland. Examinations included anthropometric measurements (weight and height) and questionnaires covering familial, socioeconomic and psychosocial factors. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and used as an indicator of overweight. As a statistical method a cross-sectional, three-stage, probability-proportionate-to-size cluster sampling method was used. The prevalence of malnutrition was: 8%, the prevalence of overweight: 6.7% and of obesity 1.9%. A statistical significance between parenteral obesity and obesity of their offspring was found. The mothers obesity represented a higher risk of the condition for girls (p = 0.001), and obesity in fathers represented a higher risk for boys (p = 0.016) than girls. We found the association between obesity in children and physical activity (odds ratio: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.12 5.8). A greater number of obese children skip breakfast as compared with other children (p = 0.058).