INTRODUCTION. Obesity, overweight and underweight affects not only health and development of children and adolescents, but also affects health in adulthood by increasing the risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases and disability. The nutritional status is affected by many factors and the incidence of nutritional disorders in children and adolescents is growing in many countries around the world and Europe, including Poland.
Material and methods. The study conducted in 2010 covered a total of 1255 students aged 9 years (627 girls and 628 boys) from the area of five provinces of Poland: Masovian, Subcarpathian, Opole, Pomeranian and Greater Poland. Based on measurements of high and weight of children the body mass index was calculated. Nutritional status was assessed according to criteria of Cole et al.
RESULTS. Underweight was found in 11.5% of girls and 8% of boys, overweight in 18.7% of girls and 17.2% of boys, obesity in 4.1% of girls and 6.5% of boys. The highest percentage of obese children has appeared in Masovian and Pomeranian provinces, while overweight children in Masovian and Opole provinces. The lowest percentage of children with overweight and obesity was observed in Subcarpathian province. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of weight deficiency among regions.
CONCLUSIONS. The degree of overweight and obesity among children in different regions of Poland was varied. The highest incidence of overweight and obesity were found in Masovian province and the lowest in the Subcarpathian province. In all provinces surveyed, the incidence of excessive body weight was higher than the prevalence of underweight. Analysis of regional differences in the prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight in children and adolescents may indicate the direction of national and local actions to reduce inequalities resulting from nutritional status.