Dietary Habits and Nutritional Status of Female Adolescents from the Great Poland Region

The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status and dietary habits among female adolescents. Four hundred seventy nine subjects aged from 17 to 18 years, from secondary schools of the Great Poland Region participated in the study. Anthropometric parameter measurements included those of body height and mass, skinfold thickness and circumferences of waist, hip and arm. The measurements served to calculate the percentage of fat mass and arm muscle area. Nutritional questionnaires were used to estimate the frequency and intake of selected food products. Mean values of body height and mass were approximately in the 50th percentile. However, 13.7% of females were underweight, 7.7% were overweight and 1.2% were obese. Cluster analysis resulted in 3 clusters, of which the second one showed the most detrimental nutritional habits. This cluster was characterised by the lowest intake of dairy products, fruits and vegetables, fish, meat and also by frequent long breaks between meals (longer than 5 hours). Improper nutritional behavior is a frequent finding in female adolescents, in Poland. Nevertheless, overweight and obesity are not more common than in other countries. Studies in this area should be continued and extended.