Effects of inadequate lifestyle and diets during the developmental period on the occurrence of some risk factors of atherosclerosis-dependent diseases

Abstract

Effects of inadequate lifestyle and diets during the developmental period on the occurrence of some risk factors of atherosclerosis dependent diseasesNumerous changes taking place in Poland since the 80's of the previous century, apart from their advantages, which undoubtedly included better availability of food and higher consumption, also resulted in an increase in the energy value supplied to the organism from easily accessible food products. This is expressed in higher percentage of obese individuals in the general population (1, 2). Year after year the problems connected with the maintenance of proper body weight are observed in an increasingly high number of children (3). According to Szadkowska et al. ( 4), at present, overweight affects 2.5-12% of children and teenagers in Poland. Over 95% of obese children suffer from simple (primary) obesity caused by positive energy balance ( 1).An excessive increase in the number of adipose cells in childhood may contribute to the development of obesity in adulthood. In adult obesity mainly the sizes of adipose cells get bigger while their number does not change, hence it seems extremely important to reduce an excessive fatty tissue increase in childhood when the number of cells rises irreversibly (5). Not every obese child has to develop obesity in adulthood. However, if obesity maintains throughout childhood and adolescence, over 30% of boys and 40% of girls are at risk of adult obesity (6). Higher incidence of obesity is associated with higher incidence of obesity-related diseases and their occurrence at still younger and younger age (4).Excessive fatty tissue and disorders of lipid metabolism carry the risk of early atherosclerosis, diabetes type 2, arterial hypertension as well as some neoplasms (7). Until recently the atherogenic effects of risk factors were associated mainly with age, although the presence of discreet atheromatous changes during the developmental age had already been detected a long time ago (2, 8). It has been demonstrated that atheromatous changes in blood vessels may develop in childhood and progress for many years before the first symptoms of the disease are observed. Thus early prevention of atherosclerosis requires early diagnosis of risk factors. These factors include: obesity, lipid abnormalities, low physical activity, bad dietary habits, environmental pollution.Inadequate diet and low physical activity belong to high risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and therefore the study was conducted to analyse the risks related to improper dietary habits and lifestyle. MATERIAL AND METHODSThe study included 57 pupils aged 11 (group A) and 12 (group B) years from one of Lublin elementary schools. During the study the height and body weight were measured. On the basis of