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Introduction: Nutrition is one of the most important environmental factors affecting human health. The frequency, as well as the quality and quantity of consumed foods are significant. Regular and rational dietary habits and correct meal composition ensure good health and fitness, whereas poor dietary habits in childhood account for an early risk of overweightness and obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary patterns of girls and boys attending primary schools in Poland, and to identify any associations between the pupils’ dietary patterns and their sex. Materials and methods: The study was carried out in spring 2017. It covered a total of 1138 primary school pupils. A proprietary questionnaire specially designed for the study was used to investigate the pupils’ dietary patterns. The findings were then analysed with the use of MS Excel 2010 and Statistica 12.0 software.Results: According to the survey, 67.36% of the female respondents and 55.4% of the male respondents ate the recommended number of meals each day. Among the respondents 72% of the girls and 73.27% of the boys reported eating breakfast daily. Fruits and vegetables were eaten several times per day by 60.38% and 43.11% of girls, respectively, v. 50.44% and 32.39% of boys, respectively. The frequency of milk and natural yoghurt consumption was adequate in 20.07% and 10.12% of girls, respectively, v. 20% and 11.5% of boys. Sweets and salty snacks were excluded from the diet of 2.97% and 2.27% of girls, respectively, v. 3.19% and 2.12% of boys, respectively. Sweetened carbonated drinks were consumed by 11.17% of girls and 6.55% of boys. Fast food and instant foods were eliminated from the daily diet of 7.16% and 45.03% of girls, respectively, v. 6.02% and 43.19% of boys, respectively.Conclusions: Some incorrect dietary habits were identified both in girls and boys, however girls generally reported more beneficial habits. Statistically significant associations were found between the majority of dietary patterns in the studied population and the respondents’ sex. The results of the study indicate a need for more intense nutritional education among primary school pupils, diversified for boys and girls.

Background. Diabetes is a set of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia caused by improper action and/or secretion of insulin. Currently, diabetes is becoming a serious challenge in modern medicine, this disease affects 425 million people, and the forecasts indicate that by 2045 the number of cases will increase to 629 million. Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge about risk factors for type 2 diabetes among secondary school students in the Silesian Province in Poland and to determine whether there are differences between the level of knowledge between girls and boys and between first-, second- and third-grade students. Material and methods. The survey was conducted among 650 high school students. The research tool was the author's questionnaire. The obtained results were developed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and Statistica 13.3 (TIBCO Inc.). Results. The definitions of type 2 diabetes were known to 63.9%. 91.8% of high school students indicated excessive body mass as a risk factor for morbidity, while 18.8% of people indicated the appropriate type of obesity increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Most of the students considered abnormal eating habits as an important factor increasing the occurrence of the disease (92.4%). The most numerous group of high school students were people with average level of knowledge (89.6%). Conclusions. The knowledge of high school students about risk factors for type 2 diabetes was varied. The most numerous group were high school students characterised by the average level of knowledge. There were no statistically significant differences between the proportion of correctly provided responses by women and men. There were statistically significant differences between the proportion of correctly provided responses by first-, second- and third-graders. Our research shows that educational activities should be undertaken, especially about modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes.