Overweight and obesity among adults in Poland, 1983-2005 Department of Dietetics and Nutrition in Hospitals with Clinic of Metabolic Diseases and Gastroenterology, National Food and Nutrition Institute, Warsaw, Poland

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are causes for numerous non-communicable chronic diseases. In recent years their incidence have become a major epidemiological problem both in Poland and many other countries. Purpose: Evaluation of the current situation of the overweight and obesity prevalence among adults in Poland and changes in this regard in the years 1983-2005. Material and Methods: Review of the countrywide research and research in selected towns and regions on overweight and obesity occurrence conducted in Poland over the last 20 years. Results: On the basis of national data for Poland, the incidence of overweight is estimated to be 39-40% among men and 28-29% among women, while the percentage of obese men and women is 16-21% and 19-22% respectively. The incidence of overweight and obesity differs with respect to gender, age, environment, the region of the country and social status. Excessive body weight is often observed in patients treated in hospitals. Abdominal obesity is very common and according to the ATP III guidelines, affects 16-28% of men and 35-40% of women, whereas under more strict IDF criteria it involves almost 40% of adult males and almost a half of adult females. Conclusions: Results from numerous surveys conducted in the last few years indicate growth of the incidence of overweight and obesity, especially among men. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Poland is comparable with most European countries.