Long-term changes in body composition and prevalence of overweight and obesity in girls (aged 3–18 years) from Kraków (Poland) from 1983, 2000 and 2010

Abstract

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has not changed significantly over the last 30 years. However, significant changes have occurred in body composition. Girls measured in 2010 had lower total adipose tissue, although they also showed a tendency towards increased central adiposity.

Secular Changes of Adiposity in Czech Children Aged from 3 to 6 Years: Latent Obesity in Preschool Age

“…The composition of food intake due to the changes of overall lifestyle has not been desirable, as shown by other studies not only in Czech children [19–23, 35]. However, higher energy intake, even along with, for example, higher fats or simple carbohydrates, has been shown not to be increase BMI and adiposity, for example, in very active adolescents, participating in some organized sport training.…”

“…Prevalence of overweight and obesity has not been reduced during the last thirty years in 3–18-year-old Polish children. Due to increasing adiposity body composition changed significantly [23]. …”

Intergenerational changes in limb circumferences in children and adolescents aged 3‐18 from Kraków (Poland) from 1983 to 2010

“…However, in the populations of Kraków, boys have shown an increase in fat and muscle mass as well as a decrease in bone mass (Kowal et al, ). It was different in girls, where the total body fat did not change significantly between 1983 and 2010 (Kowal, Kryst, Woronkowicz & Sobiecki, ). Therefore, the increased circumferences of limbs are a result of an increased share of muscle and bone tissue, or a general increase in these measurements, and not changes in body fat alone.…”

Intergenerational changes in chest size and proportions in children and adolescents aged 3–18 from Kraków (Poland), within the last 70 years

“…Reduced physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, and improper diet results in a significant increase in the incidence of overweight and obesity, both in Poland and in other countries. In Kraków, this trend concerned mainly boys, who showed a greater body weight and thickness of the subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds (Kowal et al, ). As indicated by some authors, an increase in the chest circumference is not only the result of the growth of bones, but also an increase in the amount of soft tissue, especially the adipose tissue.…”