Introduction and objective. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) phase angle (PhA) is an index of the integrity of cells and cellular membranes. The aim of the study was identification of behavioural and anthropometric predictors of PhA in a group of young adults. Materials and method. A cross-sectional observational study of health behaviours, anthropometric indicators and body composition assessed by the BIA method was conducted in a group of Polish young adults (n=92) aged 18-24 (mean-19.33, STD-0.915). Behavioural variables included: level of physical activity, eating behaviours and nutritional knowledge. Body composition was analysed by means of BIA phase-sensitive 8-electrode medical SECA mBCA 525 device. Results. The mean PhA value in the examined cohort was 6.38±0.75 (males-7.22±0.72; females-6.13±0.57). Males also showed higher statistically significant other body composition indices, excluding fat mass. The multiple regression model, including anthropometric variables and gender, which explained the effect of these variables on PhA, occurred to be significant (p<0.0000) and allowed explanation of the 82.49% of PhA variability. PhA was significantly predicted from body mass index (BMI), absolute fat mass, visceral adipose tissue value, skeletal muscle mass value and gender. The regression model, including behavioural predictors and gender, allowed explanation of the lower percentage of PhA variability (42.75%; p<0.0000) and included general intensity of health behaviours, level of nutritional knowledge, and gender. A regression model which would consider simultaneously anthropometric and behavioural variables could not be constructed. Conclusions. In the examined cohort, anthropometric and body composition variables showed a stronger predictive value with respect to PhA, compared to behavioural variables.

Introduction. An important element of obesity prophylaxis is an increase in the awareness of health and the social consequences of obesity, as well as an increase in the level of knowledge concerning the relationship between anti-health behaviours and excessive body weight. Objective. The aim of the study was assessment of knowledge concerning obesity complications among the students of two universities in Lublin, Poland, and recognition of their opinions about the functioning of obese individuals in the society. Materials and method. The study was conducted during the period November 2017-March 2018 in a group of 200 students from the selected universities in Lublin by the method of a diagnostic survey, using a questionnaire technique. The research instrument was an author-constructed questionnaire containing 46 items: 23 items referring to knowledge of the health consequences of obesity, 12-undertaking the scope of problems concerning the stigmatization of obese persons, and 11-respondents' particulars pertaining to sociodemographic data. Results. Statistical analysis showed significant relationships between the level of students' knowledge concerning the health effects of obesity and type of university, study specialty and year of study, as well as the place of the respondents' permanent residence according to the number of inhabitants. The correlate of a higher level of knowledge concerning obesity was the presence of an obese person in the respondent's direct social environment. Knowledge of the health consequences of obesity among students of the Lublin universities is unsatisfactory, although students of the Medical University show a better knowledge of this problem, compared to those from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS). In addition, it was confirmed that the respondents paid attention to the problem of stigmatization and social exclusion of obese persons in Polish society. Conclusions. Health education focused on the dissemination of knowledge about the genesis and effects of obesity remains a constant challenge to public health, and should constitute an integral element of educational programmes at all education levels, and be obligatorily supplemented by multisectoral actions in the area of pro-health policy.

Effects of inadequate lifestyle and diets during the developmental period on the occurrence of some risk factors of atherosclerosis dependent diseasesNumerous changes taking place in Poland since the 80's of the previous century, apart from their advantages, which undoubtedly included better availability of food and higher consumption, also resulted in an increase in the energy value supplied to the organism from easily accessible food products. This is expressed in higher percentage of obese individuals in the general population (1, 2). Year after year the problems connected with the maintenance of proper body weight are observed in an increasingly high number of children (3). According to Szadkowska et al. ( 4), at present, overweight affects 2.5-12% of children and teenagers in Poland. Over 95% of obese children suffer from simple (primary) obesity caused by positive energy balance ( 1).An excessive increase in the number of adipose cells in childhood may contribute to the development of obesity in adulthood. In adult obesity mainly the sizes of adipose cells get bigger while their number does not change, hence it seems extremely important to reduce an excessive fatty tissue increase in childhood when the number of cells rises irreversibly (5). Not every obese child has to develop obesity in adulthood. However, if obesity maintains throughout childhood and adolescence, over 30% of boys and 40% of girls are at risk of adult obesity (6). Higher incidence of obesity is associated with higher incidence of obesity-related diseases and their occurrence at still younger and younger age (4).Excessive fatty tissue and disorders of lipid metabolism carry the risk of early atherosclerosis, diabetes type 2, arterial hypertension as well as some neoplasms (7). Until recently the atherogenic effects of risk factors were associated mainly with age, although the presence of discreet atheromatous changes during the developmental age had already been detected a long time ago (2, 8). It has been demonstrated that atheromatous changes in blood vessels may develop in childhood and progress for many years before the first symptoms of the disease are observed. Thus early prevention of atherosclerosis requires early diagnosis of risk factors. These factors include: obesity, lipid abnormalities, low physical activity, bad dietary habits, environmental pollution.Inadequate diet and low physical activity belong to high risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and therefore the study was conducted to analyse the risks related to improper dietary habits and lifestyle. MATERIAL AND METHODSThe study included 57 pupils aged 11 (group A) and 12 (group B) years from one of Lublin elementary schools. During the study the height and body weight were measured. On the basis of

Rational, that is regular, varied and moderate nutrition is the precondition to mental as well as physical fitness. University students constitute a specific community, in which irregular lifestyle, dietary habits related to it, addictions and stressful environment are likely to lead to future health consequences such as e.g. civilization diseases. Monitoring of these dietary habits may reveal possible defects and abnormalities, which is essential in working out suitable educational programmes. SUMMARYThe main aim of the study was to assess qualitatively the dietary habits of female students of the Medical University of Lublin in the academic year 2006/2007. The study was conducted among 82 students in autumn (October-November) 2006. The 24-hour dietary questionnaire and the album of photos of products and meals of various size portions designed in the Institute of Nutrition in Warsaw were used. The number of meals and their qualitative composition were assessed in the study and

All human senses participate in the sensory evaluation of food, which means that such features as taste, flavour, appearance, or texture determine the acceptance and choice of a dish. Seeking to satisfy consumer requirements and offer a dish or food with the desired organoleptic features, the food industry initially used a wide range of food additives compensating for the loss of colour, taste or flavour of the dish. At present, with an increase in consumers' awareness and nutrition knowledge, departure is observed from the use of food additives to the benefit of using modern technologies in the food industry. The progress in food science, concerning especially, the phenomena taking place during the storage or processing of food, gives direction to the application of modern technical solutions or materials, and also provides guidelines within the area of gastronomic technology concerning the shaping of not only organoleptic features of the dish, but also activities aiming at the preservation of pro-health potential of food. This issue becomes even more important in the context of increasing epidemics of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) in contemporary western societies, in the etiopathogenesis of which, health behaviours play a crucial role. The subject of the report will be analysis of the current state of knowledge in the area of food and nutrition sciences, concerning the possibility of using modern gastronomic technologies in order to preserve or enhance the pro-health potential of food, possible to use within the primary and secondary prevention of NCD.