Changes in body adiposity in girls and boys from the rural areas of East Poland over a time span of 20 years

INTRODUCTION: Excess adiposity is one of the major causes of a number of developing civilization diseases, hence increasing adiposity levels in populations of various countries over years have raised considerable attention worldwide. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the character, dynamics and tendencies in adiposity changes in the population of children and youths from the rural areas of East Poland over the last 20 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Body adiposity was evaluated using BMI values, fatty tissue content (in % and kg), and measurements of three skinfolds. The results obtained in the years 1999-2000 were compared with those reported for rural children and youths from that area in 1980. RESULTS: Total body adiposity as well as adiposity of individual body parts were observed to increase considerably in the years 1980-2000. The highest adiposity gains were reported in the puberty period. CONCLUSIONS: The maintenance of the secular trend in body adiposity of children and youths from the rural areas of East Poland was observed in the experiment. The extent of those changes appeared to be differentiated depending on the adiposity measure applied, as well as sex and stage of ontogenetic development of subjects.