Małgorzata Schlegel-Zawadzka

Eating habits and risk of malnutrition among students of the University of the Third Age from Krakow and the poviat of Wieliczka

The problem of malnutrition prevalence is rarely evaluated among older people living in the home environment. The aim of the study is to assess eating habits and prevalence of malnutrition in a group of students of Universities of the Third Age (UTA) from Krakow and the poviat of Wieliczka. The study conducted in 2013 consisted of 77 people, whose average age was 67.16 ± 5.44 years, including 67 women and 10 men. The study involved 28 people from UTA in Krakow, and 49 of the selected UTA in the poviat of Wieliczka.

The risk assessment used a standardized mini nutritional assessment (MNA) scale, while the assessment of eating behaviour used a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). According to the MNA no one was diagnosed with malnutrition, while 10 respondents were at risk of malnutrition. These individuals had lower self-esteem of nutritional status and health, and, compared with the recommendations, consumed small amount of liquids during the day, which was associated with occurrence of mental stress or illness over the past three months.

According to the FFQ assessment, the majority of respondents implement proper eating habits. However, mistakes are made in respect of the low frequency of consumption of fish and milk and their products.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the time spent in front of a computer or TV and eating habits in kindergarten children.
The study was conducted in May and September 2012 in two kindergartens in Krakow (n=61) and in a kindergarten in Podłęże, a village near Krakow (n=34). The average age of the studied children was 5.02±1.17. 40 parents of boys and 55 parents of girls took part in the study. The differences in responses related to gender and place of living were checked. The analyses of correlations among particular factors, including BMI, were conducted by means of the Spearman rank.
Most of the kindergarten children (60%) spent an hour or less in front of TV. No relation between the time spent in front of TV or computer and gender or place of living or BMI interpretation was noticed. The time devoted to watching TV was connected with the frequency of snacks and fast-food consumption. The higher the education of mothers the less frequently children eat in front of TV. The frequency of sweetened beverages was also linked with the time spent in front of a computer.
The relation between time spent in front of TV or computer and frequency of high energy food consumption among children was confirmed in the study. An effort should be made to educate parents about probable increased risk of children’s obesity connected with watching media advertising.

The aim of the study was to assess correlations between the consumption of selected non-alcoholic beverages and the prevalence of tooth erosion among adults visiting dental practices in Krakow. Dental erosion in group 124 people aged 18-55 was assessed using BEWE, while oral dryness with a mirror test. FFQ was used to assess fluid intake, supplemented with questions regarding oral hygiene and socio-demographic factors.Dental erosion, mostly mild, was found in 38.7% of participants. Dry mouth (second and third degree in a mirror test)concerned 16.1% of subjects. Dental erosion was significantly more common (p=0.01) among participants with dry mouth. More frequent consumption of sweetened beverages as well as 100% juices (fruit, vegetable) correlated with dental erosion. Overall consumption of such beverages and also milk, as well as daily fluid intake was significantly higher among subjects with dental erosion.

Incorrect behaviors regarding the quality and quantity of drinks may contribute to tooth erosion among adults.