Introduction: All epidemiological studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among the Polish general population. Since vitamin D deficiency was shown to be among the risk factors for many diseases and for all-cause mortality, concern about this problem led us to update the previous Polish recommendations. Methods: After reviewing the epidemiological evidence, case-control studies and randomized control trials (RCTs), a Polish multidisciplinary group formulated questions on the recommendations for prophylaxis and treatment of vitamin D deficiency both for the general population and for the risk groups of patients. The scientific evidence of pleiotropic effects of vitamin D as well as the results of panelists’ voting were reviewed and discussed. Thirty-four authors representing different areas of expertise prepared position statements. The consensus group, representing eight Polish/international medical societies and eight national specialist consultants, prepared the final Polish recommendations. Results: Based on networking discussions, the ranges of total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration indicating vitamin D deficiency [<20 ng/mL (<50 nmol/L)], suboptimal status [20–30 ng/mL (50–75 nmol/L)], and optimal concentration [30–50 ng/mL (75–125 nmol/L)] were confirmed. Practical guidelines for cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃) as the first choice for prophylaxis and treatment of vitamin D deficiency were developed. Calcifediol dosing as the second choice for preventing and treating vitamin D deficiency was introduced. Conclusions: Improving the vitamin D status of the general population and treatment of risk groups of patients must be again announced as healthcare policy to reduce a risk of spectrum of diseases. This paper offers consensus statements on prophylaxis and treatment strategies for vitamin D deficiency in Poland.

Childhood obesity is one of the most important problems of public health. Searching was conducted by using PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, MEDLINE, and EBSCO databases, from January 2022 to June 2022, for English language meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, and observational studies from all over the world. Five main topics were defined in a consensus join statement of the Polish Society of Pediatrics, Polish Society for Pediatric Obesity, Polish Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and Polish Association for the Study on Obesity: (1) definition, causes, consequences of obesity; (2) treatment of obesity; (3) obesity prevention; (4) the role of primary care in the prevention of obesity; (5) Recommendations for general practitioners, parents, teachers, and regional authorities. The statement outlines the role of diet, physical activity in the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity, and gives appropriate recommendations for interventions by schools, parents, and primary health care. A multisite approach to weight control in children is recommended, taking into account the age, the severity of obesity, and the presence of obesity-related diseases. Combined interventions consisting of dietary modification, physical activity, behavioral therapy, and education are effective in improving metabolic and anthropometric indices. More actions are needed to strengthen the role of primary care in the effective prevention and treatment of obesity because a comprehensive, multi-component intervention appears to yield the best results.

Childhood obesity represents a significant challenge both clinically and socio-economically. This study aimed to assess specific biochemical parameters, particularly glucose, insulin and lipid profile, before and after a year-long intervention program in 8- and 9-year-old children with excessive body weight living in Szczecin, Poland from 2016 to 2018. The research comprised two phases: screening in elementary schools and intervention in the outpatient clinic of the clinical Pomeranian Medical University hospital. Out of 11,494 8- to 9-year-olds in Szczecin, 42.54% (4890) participated in the screening. In the intervention phase, 515 children were examined. Anthropometric measurements were recorded at each visit, and blood samples were collected during the first and fourth visits. In the statistical analysis, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov, t-Student and ANOVA tests were employed (with statistical significance when p ≤ 0.05). Results highlighted a significant proportion of children exhibiting disruptions in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. A total of 8.6% of participants had elevated total cholesterol, 9.7% had reduced HDL, 13.4% had elevated LDL, and 21.2% had elevated triglycerides. Initially, abnormal fasting glucose was detected in 4.7% of children, and elevated insulin levels in 3.1%. Metabolic disorders persisted post-intervention despite BMI improvement. The results emphasize the necessity for prolonged programs with frequent follow-ups targeting weight normalization in children.

Background: Childhood obesity is a significant public health issue. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 8- and 9-year-old children in Szczecin, Poland, and unlike other studies to assess differences in nutritional status within a single urban agglomeration of nearly 500,000 residents, it was influenced by place of residence and socioeconomic status. Methods: The study included 4705 children (2327 boys and 2378 girls) aged 8 and 9 years, attending 50 primary schools in Szczecin (45 public, 5 private) across four districts: North, Right Bank, City Center, and West. Anthropometric measurements were used to calculate BMI. Overweight was diagnosed when BMI was ≥85th percentile but lower than the 95th percentile for age and sex, while obesity was when the BMI was ≥95th percentile. Data on parental BMI, education, and place of residence were also collected. Results: The prevalence of overweight was 16.6%, and obesity was 6.2%. Overweight was more common in girls, while obesity was more frequent in boys. Children attending special education schools and living in the Right-Bank district had the highest rates of overweight and obesity. Parental obesity and low parental education, particularly the father’s, were the strongest risk factors for excess body weight. Conclusions: Differences in childhood nutritional status exist even within the same city, influenced by residence and socioeconomic factors. Parental obesity, low education, living in the city’s rural districts, and attending special education schools are key risk factors. Enhanced prevention programs tailored to these factors are crucial to combat childhood obesity effectively.

Childhood obesity remains one of the most serious medical challenges of the 21st century. The aim of the study was to obtain epidemiological data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 8- and 9-year-old children in Szczecin, and to evaluate the effectiveness of medical intervention in the form of a year of interdisciplinary work with children with excess body weight. The study consisted of two main stages: I—screening, II—intervention. The program was implemented for three consecutive years, starting in 2016–2018. The entire population of 8–9-year-olds in Szczecin is 11,494 children. In the screening part of the study, 4890 children took part, whose parent agreed to participate (42.54%). In the intervention part of the study, we analyzed a group of 515 children. Children were further divided into subgroups according to the number of visits completed. Anthropometric parameters were measured on each visit. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the screened population was 16.9% and 6.4%, respectively. Statistically significant changes were observed in BMI (Body Mass Index) percentiles and BMI z-scores, as well as WHR (Waist-Hip Ratio) during the one year observation time. The best effects were achieved by the 3rd visit (for the first 6 months of the program). Thereafter, the effects diminished due to the longer interval between the 3rd and 4th visits (6 months). There is the need for long-term programs for the prevention of excessive body weight in children and adolescents with frequent checkpoints.

The assessment of IGF-1 concentrations is one of the parameters used for evaluating response to rhGH treatment. An increase in IGF-1 concentration positively correlates with growth improvement, whereas IGF-1 concentrations significantly above the reference range may increase the risk of possible side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the IGF-1 local reference ranges for the rhGH treatment centers concerned and to compare these values with the population reference ranges. A retrospective analysis was conducted on auxological data from 229 SGA patients who received rhGH treatment between 2016 and 2020 at six university clinical centers in Poland. The IGF-1 levels were assessed at baseline, after 12 and 24 months, and compared to the reference ranges provided by the local laboratory and to the population reference ranges. After 12 months, 56 patients (24%) presented IGF-1 values > 97th percentile for the local reference range, whereas only 8 (3.5%) did so using the population reference ranges; p < 0.001. After 24 months of treatment, the values were: 47 (33%) > 97th percentile by local vs. 6 (4.2%) by population standards; p < 0.001. Thirty-nine patients had rhGH dose reduced after 12 months, of whom twelve (25%) had IGF-1 > 97th percentile according to the local reference ranges and five (13%) > 97th percentile for the population. Our data suggest that different methods used to determine IGF-1 concentration and the different IGF-1 reference ranges result in a significant proportion of rhGH-treated children with elevated IGF-1 concentration and experiencing dose reductions, which may negatively affect growth rate.