Dietary habits and body image perception among Polish adolescents and young adults - a population based study

Patterns of nutrinal behaviour that are shaped in childhood and during adolescence are mostly continued later on in adult life. The risk of developing many chronic diseases is to a large degree dependent on these patterns. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary habits and body image perception among Polish adolescents and young adults. The study group covered 14,511 adolescents/young adults: 10,081 children attending high schools and secondary schools and 4,428 university students. More than 87% of school children and students admitted that they snacked in between meals everyday, and 1/3 mentioned that they ate meals at night. As many as 41.40% of schoolchildren and 46.70% of students experienced the feeling of overeating at least several times a week. Analysis of the respondents BMI showed that students were considerably more obese and overweight compared to schoolchildren. Fear of gaining weight was mentioned by 9.90% of respondents including 6.90% of those with normal body structure, 1.40% with underweight or overweight and 0.40% of those obese. As many as 54% of the total respondents described their body structure as being normal, 23.7% as slim, 13.9% reported being overweight, 6% thin whilst 1.7% considered themselves obese. A comprehensive analysis of the study data, including attempts at dieting or gaining weight, indicated that approximately ¾ of obese respondents had undertaken attempts in the past to reduce their body weight. The importance of physical activity and healthy eating habits should be given due attention not only to prevent obesity but also other eating disorders