The changes in the prevalence of underweight and short stature among Polish youth from 1938 to 2020

The issues of underweight and short stature are significant yet underrepresented in the literature.

This study examines the prevalence of changes in underweight and short stature among Polish youth from 1938 to 2020.

Utilising five cross-sectional data sets from Kraków, Poland, the study analysed 24,655 children and adolescents aged 3-18 years. Height and weight were measured, with BMI calculated. Underweight was determined using Cole's cut-off points, while short stature was defined as height below -2 standard deviations from the mean for age and sex.

For girls, the prevalence of underweight remained stable at approximately 9.5% from 1938 to 2020, peaking in 1983, particularly during puberty, before declining in subsequent cohorts. In boys, underweight prevalence varied more, from 5.6% in 1938 to 11.1% in 1983, with a steady decline thereafter. Short stature prevalence for both sexes remained low (1.5-2.5%) and unchanged over 85 years.

Underweight prevalence increased significantly from 1938 to 1983, reflecting adverse environmental conditions, but has decreased in the last four decades, highlighting socioeconomic influences. Both underweight and short stature can significantly affect children's health.