Background: The human body consists of water, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and minerals that build cells, tissues, and organs. In healthy people, the content of these molecules remains nearly constant. The body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to classify abnormal body composition among adults. According to the WHO, a high BMI is a major risk factor for many diseases. Bioelectrical impedance analysis is a commonly used method for assessing body composition in clinical practice and medical research. Aims: The aim of this study was to identify the advantages and disadvantages of using BMI in diagnosis of underweight, overweight, and obesity, by comparing the value of the index with the values of body composition analysis parameters. Methods: A total of 267 healthy women 18 to 35 years of age participated in this study. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed on all participants at the beginning of the experiment with an InBodyS10 device. Results: In the BMI categories of overweight and obese, only women with excessive BFM were measured with BIA. The BMI category of normal body weight, apart from women with normal body composition, includes people with both deficient and excess body components, e.g., body fat or lean body mass. The BMI category of underweight includes women with different body compositions as well as people with excessive fat content. Conclusions: The BMI is useful to provide a warning of excessive fat content in overweight and obese women, whereas among normal weight and underweight women, it may mask various types of body composition defects.

Background. Unhealthy food is an important element in the development of diseases of civilisation. The aim of this study was to determine how sex, age, body mass index, smoking and olfactory efficiency influence the consumption of such foods. Methods. A total of 283 people living in the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland took part in the study. They were aged 18–82. An interview and olfactory tests were conducted together with assessments of food preferences from 25 types of food products. The extent to which sex, age, body mass index, tobacco addiction and sense of smell influence unhealthy food consumption was assessed. Results. Using the VARIMAX factor analysis, a coherent group of ‘unhealthy food with a strong flavour’ products was selected: crisps, salty snacks, fast food, sugary carbonated drinks and sour products. Unhealthy food was liked more by people who were younger (B = −0.04; PU = −0.05, −0.03; t = −7.43, eta2 = 0.17; p < 0.001) and who had a higher BMI (B = 0.03; PU ≤ 0.01, 0.06; t = 1.92, eta2 = 0.01; p = 0.056). The efficiency of the sense of smell does not play a significant role in the preference for the ‘unhealthy food’ group as a whole. The analysis of each type of unhealthy food separately showed that young people liked crisps, salty snacks, fast food and sugary carbonated drinks more, men liked fast food and sugary carbonated drinks more than women, and people with a good sense of smell liked sour products. Conclusion. According to the food preferences stated, dietary education should be targeted at young people, especially young men, to prevent the development of overweight and obesity.

Introduction: Although it is not a new method, a carboxytherapy, which is based on intradermal or subcutaneous administration of controlled doses of CO2, is gaining more and more recognition among aesthetic medicine doctors, dermatologists and cosmetologists around the world. The consequence of applying carbon dioxide directly into tissues is associated with an immediate expansion of blood vessels, improvement of local blood supply, and, thus, tissue metabolism. It does also support natural regenerative processes. Oxygen and growth factors released from blood, within the area which undergoes treatment, stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen and formation of new blood vessels also known as neovascularization. In addition to biochemical mechanisms, CO2 injection into the dermis or subcutaneous tissue leads to a mechanical effect exerted by pressure and flow of CO2 which is injected. It is of particular importance in scar treatments. Methods: Twelve mature scars were subjected to the carboxytherapy which was performed in people aged 23– 45 years. A small amount of heated, medical CO2 was injected till the moment a scar turns white. The applied flow rate equalled 100 mL/min (cc/min). Before and after a series of four treatments, the level of hydration, elasticity and colour of the skin were measured. A structured-light 3D scanner was used to determine an exact morphology of the examined scars. The 3D scanning device is seen as a sensitive and precise method of qualitative and quantitative assessment of a morphology of scars. Results: The results of the measurements performed showed a reduction in the surface of the analyzed changes, as well as proved the ability of CO2 to rebuild collagen fibres. The decrease in value of parameters, which have been obtained thanks to the kutometric examination, indicates softening and loosening of connective tissue. It does confirm the effectiveness of carboxytherapy.

Introduction: Infrared radiation (IR) has a wide spectrum of both positive and harmful effects on the human body. Negative properties, manifested by increasing the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), affect the skin ageing acceleration. Other adverse effect of infrared exposure is related to its ability to significantly penetrate deep into the skin, between its layers, up to blood vessels and other tissues and warm them up. Due to its harmful effects, protecting the skin against infrared radiation becomes an important issue. Aim: The aim of the research was verifying the usefulness of filters available on the market with protection against infrared radiation declared by the manufacturers, by examining their impact on the directional reflectance of the human skin. Methods: A group of 27 people was gathered, to obtain the results. Four products were applied on the participant’s forearm skin, and then measurements of the directional reflectance of the skin were made at successive time points, using the 410-Solar reflectometer. The collected data was analyzed, and showed changes in reflectance under the influence of the applied protective products. Results: The products used in the study showed a statistically significant effect on the directional reflectance of the human skin in near infrared radiation range and little effectiveness for higher wavelengths. Discussion: The results indicate that the selected products show radiation protection against IR radiation only after several dozen minutes of application, which may suggest that they must penetrate deeper skin layers to be effective. Hemispheric directional reflectance turned out to be an effective method allows to assess the effectiveness of protective properties of cosmetics.

Purpose: This pilot study aims to explore how skin parameters and body composition impact the tolerance to EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) stimuli in women, particularly focusing on pain tolerance in response to varying intensities of EMS. This research seeks to understand what is essential for optimizing EMS applications. Patients and Methods: The study involved 16 females (age 35.9 ± 12.3). Body composition and anthropometric measurements were taken, including BMI (Body Mass Index), weight percentage, WHtR (Waist to Height Ratio), WHR (Waist-Hip Ratio), and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. High-frequency ultrasound scans were conducted to assess skin parameters. The EMS stimulation was performed using an Evolvex (InMode, Israel), with applicators placed around the abdomen and intensity adjusted according to patient tolerance, recorded at the pain threshold. Results: The maximum tolerated EMS stimulus varied from 12V to 55V, with a median of 33V. Body weight showed a strong positive correlation (R=0.76, p< 0.001) and hip circumference (R=0.66, p< 0.001) with EMS intensity. Body fat mass (R=0.61, p=0.012) and visceral fat area (R=0.55, p=0.029) were positively correlated with EMS intensity. However, no significant correlations were observed between EMS tolerance and muscle tissue parameters or total body water content. The study also found that skin structure parameters showed no significant impact on EMS tolerance. Conclusion: The study reveals that women’s tolerance to EMS stimuli is influenced by various factors. Anthropometric parameters like hip circumference, body weight, skinfold, and BMI are strongly correlated with EMS tolerance. Body composition factors, particularly adipose tissue characteristics such as body fat mass and percentage, also significantly impact EMS intensity requirements, with no notable correlation to muscle tissue or water content. However, variations in skin structure, including thickness and density, do not significantly affect EMS tolerance. These insights are crucial for tailoring personalized EMS therapy to enhance effectiveness and comfort in both aesthetic and rehabilitative applications.