Changes in the BMI of Polish conscripts between 1965 and 2001: secular and socio-occupational variation

To describe changes in the body mass index (BMI) of nationally representative samples of young adult Polish males between 1965 and 2001, and to investigate variation in the incidence of underweight, overweight and obesity between 1965 and 2001 in the young adult males in the context of the socio-political transformation that occurred in Poland since 1989.

Four 10% nationwide random samples of 29-year-old Polish conscripts examined in 1965, 1986, 1995 and 2001. The conscripts were divided into four socio-occupational groups based on paternal education, occupation and degree of urbanization.

Height, weight and BMI (weight (kg)/height (m2)).

The proportion of overweight and underweight young adult males in the population increased between 1965 and 2001. The fraction of underweight decreased only among sons of farmers and entrepreneurs between 1986 and 1995 and then increased in all socio-occupational groups between 1995 and 2001. On the other hand, the proportion of overweight young adults gradually increased in all groups between 1965 and 2001.

Socio-occupational position of the family is an important factor influencing underweight and overweight in young adult males. This factor apparently operates through a differential distribution of income, which influences components of lifestyle most likely associated with level of habitual physical activity and/or diet.