The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of breakfast and other meal consumption by adolescents and to assess the relationship between the first and the last meal consumption and sex, body mass index (BMI), and middle school and high school students’ education level. The study was conducted in 2013–2014 among 3009 students (1658 girls and 1351 boys) from middle s and high schools in Krakow and Silesia (Poland). The data was obtained from questionnaires that were analyzed with a logistic regression model for measurable and dichotomous variables. Breakfast consumers were seen to eat other meals (second breakfast, lunch, dessert, supper) significantly more often than breakfast skippers. The main meal consumption habits depend on sex and change as adolescents age. Being a girl and a high school student predisposed participants to skip breakfast and supper more often. The BMI of breakfast consumers does not differ significantly from the BMI of breakfast skippers, so BMI might thus not be a sufficient marker of breakfast consumption regularity and dietary habits in an adolescent group. The importance of regularly eaten meals, especially breakfast, together with adequate daily dietary energy intake are beneficial for physical and psychological development and cannot be overestimated in nutritional education and it is necessary to promote healthy eating behavior for well-being in later adult life.

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to observe segmental phase angle (PhA) and body composition fluctuation of elite ski jumpers. (2) Methods: In the study, 12 professional ski jumpers took part. Body composition was estimated with segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Repeated ANOVA was used to check the parameters’ variability in time. The symmetry between the right and left side of the body was verified with the t-test for dependent samples. Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient was calculated. (3) Results: The most stable parameter was body weight. An increase in the visceral fat area was noted, the fat-free mass dropped, and significant changes were noted in the internal and external cell water parameters. Parameters connected with water between the right and left side of the body were symmetrical. Significant correlation between PhA values and body parameters with regard to fat tissue and PhA values of the legs was noticed when PhA was measured at 50 kHz. (4) Conclusions: PhA could be considered as a ski jumper body symmetry monitoring tool. The described relationship may be useful for the assessment of body fat change, which, in the case of jumpers, is crucial. Moreover, our data suggest that segmental PhA evaluation could be a good solution for ski jumpers as a confirmation if lowered body mass and low BMI are still healthy and increase the chance for longer jumps and good performance.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the lifestyle of Polish women (characterized by the quality of diets and levels of reported physical activity) and their characteristics such as age, place of residence, physical activity at work or school, reported health status, and BMI. The sample consisted of 882 women from Southern Poland. Diet quality and the level of physical activity were evaluated by the Nutrition Beliefs Questionnaire established by the Polish Academy of Sciences. The lifestyle category (healthy, moderate, or unhealthy) was based on “Prohealthy Diet Index-10” and participant’s self-assessed physical activity during their leisure-time. The lifestyle category was significantly associated with age, BMI, physical activity at work/school, and health. Moderate lifestyle (high or moderate levels of physical activity combined with low prohealthy diet) was the most commonly found classification in examined women. Age (>35 years old) and overweight are the main factors determining unhealthy lifestyle behavior. Healthy lifestyle is more often chosen by the women from big cities. More intensive efforts should be undertaken to increase the knowledge and awareness of the health benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The main goal should be concentrated on increasing the level of physical activity, especially in leisure time, and promoting the tenets of a well-balanced diet.

Introduction and objective: Puberty causes changes in body composition and appearance which can lead to impaired self-evaluation and, subsequently, health-risk behaviours among adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the congruence of self-perception, body dissatisfaction, and...

Evidence for diet-driven immunomodulation remains limited in terms of practical tools. This pilot study prospectively evaluated the dietary POLA index in 51 women aged 25–45 years and living in Kraków, Poland. At baseline (2022), 7-day dietary intake and physical activity were recorded; stool samples were analyzed for gut microbiota composition; short-chain fatty acids were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography; and fecal secretory IgA (sIgA), human β-defensin-2 (HBD-2), and calprotectin levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay. In June 2023, post-baseline incidence of COVID-19 and influenza was self-reported. Participants were categorized into a group with beneficial immunomodulation (BIM, POLA score ≤ 5) and a group with unbeneficial/highly unbeneficial immunomodulation (UBIM + HUBIM, POLA score > 5). The incidence of COVID-19 or influenza was 7.7% (1/13) in the BIM group vs. 36.8% (14/38) in the UBIM + HUBIM group. After adjusting for age and smoking, the UBIM + HUBIM group had higher odds of infection compared with the BIM group (adjusted OR = 6.53; 95% CI: 1.02–129.85), corresponding to a higher absolute risk of 47.9% (95% CI 26.1–70.6) versus 12.3% (95% CI 1.4–58.1). The BIM group more often met the fiber and micronutrient adequacy targets and showed a higher proportion of sIgA levels within the reference range (92.3% vs. 60.5%), along with lower fecal succinic acid concentrations (median 3.27 mg/g vs. 4.32 mg/g). In this cohort, a favorable POLA score was associated with lower self-reported COVID-19 or influenza incidence and an sIgA profile suggestive of intestinal immune homeostasis. As this pilot study is underpowered, findings should be interpreted as exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Nonetheless, results support the POLA index as a practical diet-quality metric with potential immunomodulatory relevance.