Background. Arterial hypertension is caused by environmental factors and genetic predisposition. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene variants and environmental factors, biochemical and anthropometric parameters and the incidence of hypertension. Material and methods. A total of 73 patients, aged 24 to 68, with Body Mass Index (BMI) above 25 kg/m2 took part in this study. Nutrient intake was assessed with a diet based on consumption records. The ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism was determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results. Normal pressure predominated in persons with genotype II (59.1%), whereas hypertension in persons with genotype ID (55.2%). The frequency of the D allele was 5% higher in the hypertensive group (53% vs. 48%), but this difference was not statistically significant. The percentage of patients who consumed alcohol and smoked cigarettes in the D allele group was higher than in the I allele group. People with the D allele had lower vitamin D intake and higher copper intake than carriers of the allele I. The highest vitamin D intake was found in people with genotype II, and the differences were significant compared to patients with ID genotype. People with the D allele consumed more carbohydrates and less protein than those with the I allele, but these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions. Hypertensive subjects were more frequent DD and ID genotypes, whereas normotensive subjects - the II genotype. People with the D allele had lower vitamin D and protein intake, while the carbohydrate and copper intake was higher than those with the I allele. The group with the D allele had a higher percentage of smokers and alcohol drinkers. Our studies have shown a relationship between environmental and genetic factors and hypertension, but more research is needed.

Introduction. Results of other studies indicate at increased predisposition of metabolic diseases in the adulthood in subjects born with low birthweight. Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in adults in relation to birthweight and current body mass. Patients and methods. The study was performed in 498 subjects aged 24-29 years, born in Warsaw in 1974-1977, whose mothers during pregnancy participated in a prospective study of risk factors of low birthweight. Basic anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were performed; total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, fibrinogen and glycosylated hemoglobin were determined in the blood. Results. 1) In males body mass index (BMI) and indices of abdominal fat distribution (WHR, waist circumference) correlated positively with the insulin resistance index, blood insulin level, glycated hemoglobin, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, fibrinogen and also blood pressure, and negativelely with HDL-cholesterol. In females BMI, WHR and waist circumference correlated significantly only with the insulin resistance index, and blood levels of insulin, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and fibrinogen. 2) In males birthweight correlated negatively only with the insulin resistance index and serum insulin level. In females such correlations were not observed. 3) Logistic regression analysis revealed that obesity, particularly abdominal, was a stronger predictor of increased insulin resistance than birthweight. Conclusions. In young males abdominal obesity is a much stronger determinant of coronary risk factors than birthweight.

Background. The formation and development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is largely caused by lifestyle factors. Many studies have shown that excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates, alcohol, salt, physical inactivity and smoking increase the risk of MetS. Objective. The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status and its relationship with selected lifestyle factors in elderly people with MetS. Material and methods. 81 people aged 51-75 participated in the study. According to the guidelines, all tests were performed on an empty stomach. The comparison of individual quantitative variables between the groups was performed using the Student's t-test for independent measurements or using the Mann-Whitney U test. The relationship between quantitative variables was verified with the Spearman's correlation coefficient. All statistical tests were based on a significance level of p<0.05. Results. The BMI, the percentage of body fat and the waist circumference significantly exceed the norm for the population in the examined persons. The responses of respondents aged 51-65 show that 36% of people sweetened their drinks, 65.6% were salted their food, 51.6% consumed alcohol, and at the age of 66-75, respectively: 47.1%, 52.9%, 41.2%. There was no correlation between sweetening beverages and salting food and the concentration of glucose and lipids. However, a positive correlation was found between the amount of salt consumed and the heart rate (r=0.28, p<0.05). In both age groups, statistically significant differences in the concentration of triglycerides depending on alcohol consumption or non-consumption were found. Due to the lack of precise data on the amount of alcohol consumed, the correlation between alcohol consumption and the concentration of glucose and lipids was not analyzed. Physical activity was not undertaken by 39.1% of patients aged 51-65 years and 41.2% of patients aged 66-75 years. In the group of elderly people without physical activity, a statistically significantly higher glucose concentration was found in relation to those who were physically active (130 mg/dl vs. 105 mg/dl; p=0.031). Patients aged 51-65 who engaged physical activity had statistically significantly lower body weight, BMI, waist circumference and lean body mass, which requires further studies. Conclusions. The anthropometric indices and parameters of MetS patients indicated disturbances in the nutritional status. Unhealthy lifestyle was shown mainly in the younger group of patients 51-65 years old (they sweetened drinks more often, salted dishes, consumed alcohol). Patients with metabolic syndrome did not undertake physical activity as often as recommended