Diet-Related Factors, Physical Activity, and Weight Status in Polish Adults

Abstract

Obesity is a serious problem for both the individual and society due to its health and economic consequences. Therefore, there is a need to focus on factors which explain this phenomenon and may be useful in preventing future occurrence. The aim of this study was to determine the lifestyle factors coexisting with increased body mass index (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) in Polish adults, including factors related to diet (dietary patterns—DPs; dietary restrictions; number of meals; frequency of snacking, eating out, and ordering home delivery meals), physical activity, and sociodemographic characteristics. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was carried out in 2016 amongst 972 Polish adults under the Life Style Study (LSS). To determine the factorscoexisting with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, the logistic regression model was developed. Women were less likely to be overweight or obese compared to men. The likelihood of BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 increased with age by 4% in each subsequent year of life. Frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, adhering to restrictions in quantity of food consumed and at least moderate physical activity during leisure time decreased the likelihood of BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. More frequent consumption of meat and eating five or more meals a day increased the likelihood of BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Diet-related factors explained the developed model better than factors related to physical activity, however, age and gender were the factors most strongly correlated with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Therefore, development of strategies to prevent and reduce overweight and obesity should focus on the demographic characteristics of the population, and then on teaching behaviors conducive for reducing the amount of food consumed, especially meat. However, physical activity in leisure time should also be included in the prevention of obesity.

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Security and Diet-Related Lifestyle Behaviors: An Analytical Study of Google Trends-Based Query Volumes

“…It is well known that sedentary indoor behaviors are associated with unhealthy dietary patterns. For example, Jezewska-Zychowicz et al showed that “meat and meat products” were positively associated with television viewing [ 27 ]. Santaliestra-Pasías and colleagues also reported that television viewing or using the internet for recreational reasons was positively associated with “snacking behavior” but negatively correlated with “plant-based” and “breakfast” dietary patterns in European adolescents [ 28 ].…”

Body Dissatisfaction, Restrictive, and Bulimic Behaviours among Young Women: A Polish–Japanese Comparison

“…On one hand, despite potentially different cultural factors influencing the upbringing of young Polish and Japanese women, there are some cultural similarities due to the increasing internalization of the socio-cultural standards of Western culture promoted by the mass media in both countries [57]. Moreover, the process of Westernization is connected not only with "thin ideal of beauty" [62][63][64][65] but also by unifying dietary patterns in countries from different climatic and cultural regions [66], such as in Poland and Japan [62,63,67,68].…”

Prevalence and Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Adults in Poland: A 2019/2020 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Moreover, only a part of these studies was representative, carried out based on anthropometric measurements [18]. Recently published studies on weight status in Polish adults are focused on dietary habits or lifestyle factors coexisting with increased body mass index [18,19]. There is a significant gap in nationwide representative studies on nutritional statuses in different socio-economic groups in Poland.…”