ANALYSIS OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN AGED 10-13 YEARS IN THE SILESIAN PROVINCE, POLAND, AND CORRELATION WITH SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS

Background
Nutritional disorders constitute a significant clinical problem in the 21st century. The problems of overweight and obesity concern not only adults, but are also increasingly affecting developing children.

Material and methods
The study was conducted among parents of children aged 10-13 years. Based on the data obtained from questionnaires distributed to the parents, body mass index (BMI) and degree of nutrition was determined and the influence of socio-demographic factors on the nutritional status of children was analyzed.

Results
This study found that approximately 16% of children aged 10-13 are categorized as overweight, and 26% are categorized as obese. Place of residence has a significant effect on the BMI of included children, with those living in a country being characterized by a significantly lower BMI compared to those living in a town or city (p=0.008). Children whose parents are overweight or obese are characterized by a higher BMI compared to children whose parents are not overweight or obese (p=0.001).

Conclusions
This study shows that the presence of overweight or obesity in a parent is correlated with a higher BMI in their children. In addition, children living in the countryside have a significantly lower average BMI compared to children living in a town or city.