Nutrition and physical activity environments in primary schools in Poland – COSI study

Abstract

Introduction. Schools are important settings for the promotion of healthy diet and sufficient physical activity to prevent civilisation diseases related to lifestyle. Objective. To describe school physical activity and nutrition environment in elementary schools in Poland, and to asses differences in school physical activity and nutrition environments, depending on school location and size. Materials and method. Data was used from the World Health Organisation European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) conducted in 2016 in 135 Polish schools. Logistic regression was used to asses association between the location and individual school environment indicator. On the basis of answers to 20 questions about school physical activity and nutrition environment, a positive school environmental assessment index was compiled. Results. Large, urban schools were characterised by a significantly greater availability of sweet snacks, whereas flavoured milk with added sugar was more often available in small and rural schools. The univariate logistics analysis parameters showed that an urban-rural location had a significant association for the availability of an indoor gym and existence of a canteen and a shop. Analysing the positive schools environmental assessment index, there were no statistically significant differences in mean values due to location, but statistically significant differences were found depending on the school size, with the highest level in large schools and the lowest in small schools. Conclusions. The factor which adversely differentiates the school environment in terms of healthy nutrition and physical activity is primarily the school size, and then the school location. Systemic and social solutions should aim at reducing the small school "exclusion syndrome", both in rural and in urban areas, also with regard to infrastructure and availability of conditions conducive to healthy nutrition and physical activity.

Physical Activity and Its Potential Determinants in Obese Children and Adolescents under Specialist Outpatient Care—A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study

“…In contrast, the results of "the ABC of Healthy Eating Study" showed the regional differences in activity-inactivity patterns among teenagers, with the most unfavorable and inactive pattern positively associated with urban residence [39]. There are also urban-rural differences in the school environment related to physical activity; for instance, the school location determines the availability of an indoor gym for pupils [40]. Although the regional differences in the prevalence of excess weight among Polish children have been well described [38,39,41,42], there are no studies on the relationship between the place of residence and physical activity in obese pediatric patients.…”

Healthy and sustainable school meals – proposal for a new quality index SMI-LE

“…Since Polish children and adolescents consume sugar in excessive amounts (above the European average), primarily in the form of sweets and sweetened beverages [38], schools should limit the availability of foods with added sugars in canteens and shops/vending machines [14,22]. A study by Korzycka showed that sweet snacks (biscuits, candy bars, chocolate) and sweet carbonate drinks were available in 35% and 6% of schools, respectively [39]. Moreover, a significantly greater availability of sweet snacks was founding large, urban schools, whereas flavoured milk with added sugar was more oten available in small and rural schools [39].…”

“…A study by Korzycka showed that sweet snacks (biscuits, candy bars, chocolate) and sweet carbonate drinks were available in 35% and 6% of schools, respectively [39]. Moreover, a significantly greater availability of sweet snacks was founding large, urban schools, whereas flavoured milk with added sugar was more oten available in small and rural schools [39]. Research conducted in almost 8,000 adolescents aged 12-17 years indicated that 1/5 of them snacked on sweets between meals [40].…”

Taste preferences of preschoolers and parents’ contribution to shaping their children’s eating habits in the context of obesity development

“…Assessment of the level of physical activity of children and adolescents from the Visegrad countries -Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia -showed that a large part of them, especially girls, did not comply with the recommendations regarding physical activity [46]. As far as school-age children are concerned, the COSI study [47] conducted in 2016 in 135 Polish schools showed that systemic and social solutions are necessary, both in rural and urban areas, in terms of infrastructure. Solutions supporting the implementation of healthy eating and physical activity are also needed.…”