Long-term changes in body composition and prevalence of overweight and obesity in girls (aged 3–18 years) from Kraków (Poland) from 1983, 2000 and 2010

Abstract

Background: Body mass disorders are an increasing problem, especially in industrialized countries.

Aim: Determination of time- and age-related differences in the prevalence of overweight, obesity and in body composition in girls from 1983, 2000 and 2010.

Subject and methods: In 2010 an anthropological study was conducted on 1970 girls aged 3–18 years living in Kraków (Poland). Data on selected skin-folds, BMI, muscle mass and bone mass were compared to two studies on analogous populations carried out in 1983 and 2000.

Results: Compared to 1983, the share of overweight girls in 2010 had decreased (from 12.4% to 11.2%), while the obesity rate had increased slightly from 2.3% to 3.2%. Girls from 2010 had lower overall body fat content than their peers studied in 1983. However, in 2010 suprailiac adiposity prevalence was higher, while triceps, subscapular and abdominal adiposity rates were lower. They also had higher muscle mass and lower bone mass.

Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity has not changed significantly over the last 30 years. However, significant changes have occurred in body composition. Girls measured in 2010 had lower total adipose tissue, although they also showed a tendency towards increased central adiposity.

• BMI
• bone mass
• muscle mass
• secular trend
• skin-fold thickness

Acknowledgements

The study survey was part of a project financed by the Polish Council for Science and Technology (NN404 177 035) and by University School of Physical Education in Krakow (204/KA/206).