Subjective health assessment versus nourishment status of young women

CHAPTER XII HEALTH AND WELLNESS 1/2015 WELLNESS AND HEALTH 1 Department of Anatomy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw Katedra i Zakład Anatomii Prawidłowej Uniwersytetu Medycznego we Wrocławiu 2 Department of Human Biology, University of Wroclaw Katedra Biologii Człowieka, Uniwersytet Wrocławski 3 Laboratory of Psychology, University of Lower Silesia, Wroclaw Wydziałowa Pracownia Psychologii, Dolnośląska Szkoła Wyższa we Wrocławiu BOŻENA KURC-DARAK 1, EWA GDOWSKA 2, DANUTA KORNAFEL 3, PAWEŁ DĄBROWSKI 1, ZYGMUNT DOMAGAŁA 1, ALEKSANDRA KOTYLAK 1, MICHAŁ PORWOLIK 1, BOHDAN GWORYS 1 Subjective health assessment versus nourishment status of young women Subiektywna ocena stanu zdrowia a stan odżywienia młodych kobiet Key words: health, lifestyle, BMI, WHR Słowa kluczowe: zdrowie, styl życia, BMI, WHR INTRODUCTION The self-assessment of health is a popular indicator used for evaluating the biological status of people, as well as for estimating health inequalities in respondents. Health-related information which is used in self-assessment is gathered during the analysis of objective data (findings from medical examinations, fitness and performance tests). Lifestyle, the strongest factor determining health, comprises health-related behaviours such as balanced diet, appropriate level of physical activity, but also negative behaviours, e.g. use of stimulants. Proper nutritional habits ensure good health and nourishment. The assessment of nourishment status is used to determine whether the physiological demand of the analysed subject for energy and nutrients is

HEALTH AND WELLNESS 1/2015 Wellness and health satisfied. In practice, the nourishment status is usually assessed using height-to-weight ratios based on anthropometric parameters. Studies on health-related behaviours are an important element of health assessment. Healthy and unhealthy behaviours which affect health usually focus the interest not only of medical, but also scientific and social environments. The aim of our study was to analyse the relationships between self-assessment of health in the surveyed young women and health assessment based on objective parameters, including lifestyle. MATERIAL AND METHODS The questionnaire-based study was carried out among female students in Wrocław. The surveyed group comprised 196 women aged 18 to 26 years (mean 22.2 years), of which 80% were 21-24 y.o. women. The surveyed group was heterogeneous in terms of university type and studied subjects. Most respondents were studying social, technical, life or medical sciences. Anthropometric parameters were used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR), which were then categorized according to WHO standards. Correlations between nourishment status and selfassessed health were analysed using statistical methods and Statistica 10.0 software. Non-parametric U Mann-Whitney and chi 2 tests were used in the analysis. RESULTS Most respondents (77%) had normal proportions between body mass and height. In one out of ten analysed women the value of BMI was above the normal range. Gynoid body fat distribution was found in about 70% of young women. Table 1. Anthropometric characteristics of surveyed women N x sd Height [cm] 196 167,8 6,5 Weight [kg] 196 60,4 10,2 Waist circumference [cm] 196 70,8 9,5 Hip circumference [cm] 196 92,5 9,6 BMI 196 21,4 3,2 WHR 196 0,77 0,08 More than 89% of the surveyed women drink alcohol. Twenty-one respondents (about 11%) declared themselves to be non-drinkers. About 60% of respondents drink alcohol several times a month. Drinking alcohol once a week was declared by 9% of the surveyed women, and none of respondents declared drinking every day [tab. 2]. The surveyed students declared drinking various types of alcohol, but over 58% of them most frequently drink beer [tab. 3]. 176

Wiesław Kurlej, Kamil Nelke, Jacek Zborowski,Bohdan Gworys, Sławomir Woźniak, Paweł Dąbrowski Pedestrian injuries in transport accidents Table 2. Frequency of alcohol consumption None Several times a Several times a Several times Total week month a year N 26 18 110 42 196 % 10,7 9,2 58,7 21,4 100 Table 3. Type of consumed alcohol Beer Wine Vodka Whiskey Rum Total N 97 54 17 1 1 170 % 58,3 30,9 9,7 0,6 0,5 100 The frequency of alcohol consumption was compared to the BMI of respondents. One respondent with BMI below normal, and about 10% of respondents with normal BMI and BMI above normal declared consuming alcohol several times a week. The percentage of non-drinkers was highest among women with BMI below normal. The differences were minor, and no significant correlation between the BMI of respondents and the frequency of alcohol consumption was found [tab. 4]. Table 4. Frequency of alcohol consumption vs BMI of respondents p=0,91 Frequency of alcohol consumption Underweight Standard Overweight Total N % N % N % N % Several times a week 1 0,5 15 7,7 2 1,0 18 9,2 Several times a month 14 7,1 90 45,9 11 5,7 115 58,7 Several times a year 7 3,6 31 15,8 4 2,0 42 21,4 None 4 2,0 15 7,7 2 1,0 21 10,7 Total 26 13,2 151 77,1 19 9,7 196 100 One out of ten respondents with a good self-assessment of health, and one out of five respondents with poor self-assessment declared drinking alcohol more than once a week. Differences in the percentage of women declaring non-drinking in individual groups were minor. Statistical analysis did not reveal any correlation between selfassessment of health and frequency of alcohol consumption. 177

HEALTH AND WELLNESS 1/2015 Wellness and health Table 5. Frequency of alcohol consumption vs self-assessment of health by respondents Frequency of alcohol consumption Self-assessment of health Very good Good Not good Total N % N % N % N % Several times a week 3 1,5 13 6,6 2 1,0 18 9,2 Several times a month 34 17,4 76 38,7 5 2,6 115 58,7 Several times a year 11 5,6 30 15,3 1 0,5 42 21,4 None 5 2,6 15 7,7 1 0,5 21 10,7 Total 53 27,1 134 68,3 9 4,6 196 100 p=0,75 Regular tobacco smoking was declared by 8% of students. 12% of respondents declared occasional smoking, and about 14% used to smoke [tab. 6]. Table 6. Tobacco smoking Never Quit Smoke Smoke occasionally smoking every day Total N 129 27 24 16 196 % 65,8 13,8 12,2 8,2 100 As many as 81% of the surveyed women identified as underweight have never smoked cigarettes, and none of the respondents with BMI below normal declared regular tobacco smoking. Among respondents with normal weight-to-height ratio 64% have never smoked, and one out of ten respondents with normal BMI declared themselves to be regular smokers. Among overweight women 63% have never smoked, and 5% declared regular tobacco smoking. Regular smoking was declared by 8% of respondents with BMI below normal, 14% of women with normal BMI, and 21% of respondents with BMI above normal. The percentage of occasional smokers was very similar in all BMI categories [tab. 7]. Table 7. Tobacco smoking vs BMI of respondents Underweight Standard Overweight Total Tobacco smoking N % N % N % N % Never 21 10,7 96 49,0 12 6,1 129 65,8 Quit smoking 2 1,0 21 10,7 4 2,0 27 13,8 Smoke occasionally 3 1,5 19 9,7 2 1,0 24 12,2 Smoke every day - - 15 7,6 1 0,5 16 8,2 Total 26 13,3 151 77,0 19 9,7 196 100 *For statistical purposes regular and occasional smokers were combined in one group 178

Wiesław Kurlej, Kamil Nelke, Jacek Zborowski,Bohdan Gworys, Sławomir Woźniak, Paweł Dąbrowski Pedestrian injuries in transport accidents The vast majority of respondents with very good and good self-assessments of health have never smoked tobacco. Regular smoking was declared only by one person with a very good self-assessment of health, and one out of ten respondents with a good self-assessment of health. Among respondents with a poor self-assessment of health non-smokers accounted for 44%, one out of three used to smoke, and one respondent declared either occasional smoking or regular smoking. Table 8. Tobacco smoking and self-assessment of health by respondents Self-assessment of health Tobacco smoking Very good Good Not good Total Never N 38 % 19,4 N 87 % 44,4 N 4 % 2,0 N 129 % 65,8 Quit smoking 6 3,1 18 9,2 3 1,5 27 13,8 Smoke occasionally 8 4,1 15 7,7 1 0,5 24 12,2 Smoke every day 1 0,5 14 7,1 1 0,5 16 8,2 Total 53 27,0 134 68,4 9 4,6 196 100 p=0,26 Drinking coffee with varying frequency was declared by 68% of respondents. More than two cups of coffee is standard for 15% of all respondents [tab. 9]. Table 9. Frequency of drinking coffee Several times a day Once a day Several times a week Several times a month None Total N 29 44 26 34 63 196 % 14,8 22,4 13,4 17,3 32,1 100 The highest frequency of drinking coffee was found in the group of women with a normal weight-to-height ratio. Respondents with BMI above normal much less frequently declared drinking coffee several times a week [tab. 10]. Table 10. Frequency of drinking coffee vs BMI of respondents Frequency of drinking coffee Underweight Standard Overweight Total N % N % N % N % Several times a day 2 1,0 25 12,8 2 1,0 29 14,8 Once a day 4 2,0 35 17,9 5 2,5 44 22,4 Several times a week 4 2,0 21 10,7 1 0,5 26 13,3 Several times a month 3 1,5 29 14,8 2 1,0 34 17,3 None 13 6,6 41 20,9 9 4,6 63 32,1 Total 26 13,3 151 77,0 19 9,7 196 100 p=0,29 179

180 HEALTH AND WELLNESS 1/2015 Wellness and health Among the women with a very good self-assessment of health most students do not drink coffee at all. Among women with a poor self-assessment of health 44% do not drink coffee at all, and 33% drink one cup of coffee a day. [tab. 11]. Table 11. Frequency of drinking coffee vs self-assessment of health by respondents Self-assessment of health Frequency of drinking coffee Very good Good Not good Total N % N % N % N % Several times a day 7 3,6 21 10,7 1 0,5 29 14,8 Once a day 13 6,6 28 14,3 3 1,5 44 22,4 Several times a week 5 2,5 21 10,7 - - 26 13,3 Several times a month 12 6,1 21 10,7 1 0,5 34 17,3 None 16 8,2 43 21,9 4 2,0 63 32,1 Total 53 27,0 134 68,4 9 4,6 196 100 Only one out of five students assessed their sleep quality as very good, but as many as 17% reported sleep disorders. The vast majority of respondents sleep the recommended 6-8 hours/day (69% of the total surveyed group). The highest percentage of respondents assessing their sleep quality as very good was found in the group of women who sleep for more than 8 hours a day. Women sleeping for less than 6 hours daily more frequently assessed their sleep quality as good. The percentage of women assessing the quality of their sleep as poor was higher in the group of students sleeping for less than 6 hours daily [tab. 12]. Table 12. Hours of sleep and its quality Hours of sleep Very good Good Not good Total N % N % N % N % Less than 6h - - 18 9,2 12 6,1 30 15,3 6-8h 24 12,2 93 47,4 18 9,2 135 68,9 More than 8h 13 6,6 14 7,1 4 2,0 31 15,8 Total 37 18,9 125 63,8 34 17,3 196 100 The vast majority of the women in each BMI category sleep for the right number of hours. Shorter sleep than recommended was found in 19% of underweight respondents and in 21% of women with BMI above normal. The highest percentage of women sleeping more than eight hours daily was found among respondents with a normal weight-to-height ratio. Table 13. Hours of sleep vs BMI of respondents Underweight Standard Overweight Total Hours of sleep N % N % N % N % Less than 6 h 5 2,55 21 10,7 4 2,0 30 15,3 6-8 h 18 9,2 104 53,1 13 6,6 135 68,9 More than 8 h 3 1,5 26 13,3 2 1,0 31 15,8 Total 26 13,3 151 77,0 19 9,7 196 100 p=0,79

Wiesław Kurlej, Kamil Nelke, Jacek Zborowski,Bohdan Gworys, Sławomir Woźniak, Paweł Dąbrowski Pedestrian injuries in transport accidents Women with a very good self-assessment of health significantly more frequently reported very good sleep quality. Among women with a poor self-assessment of health as many as 44% reported poor sleep quality. Table 14. Sleep quality vs self-assessment of health by respondents Sleep quality Self-assessment of health Very good Good Not good Total Jakość snu N % N % N % N % Very good 22 11,2 15 7,7 - - 37 18,9 Good 29 14,8 91 46,3 5 2,6 125 63,8 Not good 2 1,0 28 14,3 4 2,0 34 17,3 Total 53 27,0 134 68,4 9 4,6 196 100 DISCUSSION Numerous publications have shown the usefulness of health self-assessment as an indicator reflecting the actual health status of an individual [5, 21, 25]. Health-related information which is used in self-assessment is gathered during the analysis of objective data (findings from medical examinations, fitness and performance tests). This information is combined with the opinions of close and distant people who are concerned about a subject s health or appearance. Our study indicated that the vast majority of respondents are satisfied with their health. Good or very good health was declared by 95% of respondents. A similar high score (91%) was found in a national survey conducted by the Public Opinion research Centre (CBOS) in a group of respondents aged 18-24 years [2]. Only 4.6% of the surveyed women assessed their health as poor, and a similar score (4.2%) was obtained among female students from Łódź [16]. It has been suggested that people with diagnosed obesity and other coexisting health problems have a lower self-assessment of health [14]. However, our study did not reveal any correlation between nourishment status and self-assessment of health. The incidence of unhealthy behaviours in the lifestyle of the surveyed students is diversified. Our study revealed a low percentage of female students smoking tobacco. Regular smoking was found in 8% of respondents, and 12% of students declared themselves to be occasional smokers. Other surveyed young women had either quit smoking (14%) or had never smoked (66%). Similar positive scores for university students were reported by other authors, e.g. 71% of students in Poznań are non-smokers [19], while in Lublin universities 61% of students are non-smokers, 24% are smokers, and 15% of respondents had quit smoking [23]. Other studies carried out among female students in Lublin revealed that 26% of them are regular smokers [15]. Studies carried out in 2004 in a group of female students in Wrocław demonstrated that 20% were smokers, but only some smoked regularly [7]. Among students in Kutno as many as 39% were smokers [12]. The scores found in our study have the closest similarity to findings from a survey among female students in Gdańsk, where only 9% of young women declared regular smoking, 13% smoked occasionally, 73% 181

182 HEALTH AND WELLNESS 1/2015 Wellness and health had never smoked and 5% had quit smoking [18]. Among students in Łódź regular smoking was declared by 13% of respondents, and occasional smoking by 10% [16]. As many as 92% of respondents declared non-smoking. There are many reports on the prevalence of smoking among students, and apart from those quoted before this problem is also addressed in many other publications [9, 22, 24, 26]. Most authors present similar results supporting the fact that tobacco smoking is becoming a less popular habit year by year. The findings from our studies on alcohol consumption indicate that alcohol is a very popular stimulant. More than 89% of the surveyed young women declared drinking alcohol with varying frequency, which corresponds with results from studies by other authors, i.e. 87% [18], 89%, 92% [17], and 97% [16]. Our study revealed that 9% of women consumed alcohol several times a week, and 59% of students consumed alcohol several times a month. Very rare consumption of alcohol (several times a year) was declared by 21% of respondents. More frequent consumption of alcohol by young women was found in a study carried out among female students in Supraśl, where 40% of women had alcohol every week [24], while less frequent consumption (only several times within recent months) was declared by 70% of students from Grodno [10]. Our study did not show any correlation between respondents BMI and the frequency of alcohol consumption, which corresponds to findings by other researchers [8]. We found that young women consuming alcohol most frequently drink beer, although overweight or obese students usually drink wine. This corresponds with studies by most other authors, who also demonstrated that beer is the most popular alcohol [10, 13]. However, researchers investigating alcohol consumption among female students in Łódź found that wine was the most popular drink [16]. The literature provides no reports on the correlation between the type of consumed alcohol and the BMI of respondents. Coffee owes its popularity to its stimulating and organoleptic properties. The negative effect of coffee on human health is debatable. It has been postulated that overuse of coffee is harmful to health. Recent studies demonstrated that the caffeine contained in coffee increases blood pressure, but this effect is temporary because of developing tolerance [1]. In our study, the habit of drinking coffee with varying frequency was declared by 68% of female students. Other researchers reported similar consumption of coffee by students [4]. Our study did not show any correlation between consumption of coffee and the nourishment state of respondents, which corresponds with other reports [3]. Behaviours related to rest and the appropriate amount of sleep are part of a healthy lifestyle. Demand for sleep is physiologically regulated, and it may differ depending on health, age and level of physical activity, so the necessary amount of sleep for an adult person has been estimated at six to eight hours daily. Our study showed that as many as 69% of the women sleep for an appropriate amount of time, which corresponds with findings by Romanowska-Tołłoczko [20]. Different conclusions were reached by other researchers [6], who found that over 50% of students slept less than the minimum number of hours necessary to maintain good health. An inadequate amount of sleep and its poor quality have a negative influence on the endocrine system

Wiesław Kurlej, Kamil Nelke, Jacek Zborowski,Bohdan Gworys, Sławomir Woźniak, Paweł Dąbrowski Pedestrian injuries in transport accidents and metabolism, and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases [11]. Our study demonstrated a correlation between high quality sleep and an adequately positive selfassessment of health. However, a good self-assessment of health by the surveyed women does not correspond with their nourishment status and the incidence of reported distressing ailments. Deep knowledge on health and a declared healthy lifestyle corresponds only with some selected healthy behaviours. CONCLUSIONS 1. Nourishment status evaluated based on body mass index was normal in most respondents. Underweight states were found with a slightly higher frequency than overweight states or obesity. 2. The fat tissue distribution pattern is closely correlated with respondents' BMI. Young women with higher values of BMI are at risk of developing a negative visceral pattern of fat distribution. 3. Self-assessment of health by the surveyed women is good and not correlated with their nourishment status. Most women self-reported their health as good. 4. Young women most frequently complain of fatigue and sleepiness. Chronic stress and headache were frequently reported ailments. 5. Respondents self-reporting very good sleep quality rated their health in very positive terms more often then other female students. Insomnia was reported more frequently by underweight women in comparison to women with normal BMI. 6. Alcohol is a popular stimulant, and its consumption was declared by more than 89% of the surveyed young women. A low percentage of female students declared tobacco smoking. 7. Health-related behaviours in young women are characterised by a number of inconsistencies. It is therefore necessary to carry out a comprehensive analysis covering all elements of lifestyle to make a full assessment of respondents health. REFERENCES 1. Balk L., Hoekstra T., Twisk J. (2009). Relationship between long-term coffee consumption and components of the metabolic syndrome: The Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study. a 24: 203-209 2. Boguszewski R. (2007). Raport CBOS komunikat z badań: Zdrowie i zdrowy styl życia w Polsce 3. Bouchard D., Ross I., Janssen. (2010). Coffee, Tea and Their Additives: Association with BMI and WaistCircumferenceObesityFacts3:345 352 4. Charkiewicz W., Markiewicz R., Borawska M. (2009). Ocena sposobu żywienia studentek dietetyki Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Białymstoku. Bromat. Chem. Toksykol. 42, 3, 699 703. 183

184 HEALTH AND WELLNESS 1/2015 Wellness and health 5. Karski J.B. (2003). Praktyka i teoria promocji zdrowia. Wyd. CeDeWu, Warszawa 6. Kasperczyk J., Jośko J. (2012). Analiza czynników odpowiedzialnych za złą jakość snu u studentów Śląskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego. Hygeia. Public. Health 47(2): 191-195 6. Kocki J. i wsp. (2004). Postawy studentów Akademii Medycznej w Lublinie wobec palenia tytoniu. Zdrow.Publ.114,6. 7. Koh-Banerjee P. et al.(2003). Prospective study of the association of changes in dietary intake, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking with 9-y gain in waist circumference among 16 587 US men. Am J Clin Nutr 78:719 27. 8. Kołpa M. i wsp. (2007). Palenie tytoniu wśród studentów Państwowej Wyższej Szkoły zawodowej w Tarnowie kierunek pielęgniarstwo i informatyka. Probl. Hig. Epidemiol. 88, (Supl. 3), 75-80 9. Kułak A., Shpakov A., Kułak P. (2011). Wstępna analiza problemu nikotynizmu, alkoholizmu i narkomanii w populacji studentów. Probl Hig Epidemiol 92(1): 137-145 10. Lam, J., Ip, M. (2010). Sleep and the metabolic syndrome. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 131, 206-216 11. Lipka-Nowak D., Dudek D. (2005). Styl życia i uwarunkowania zachowań zdrowotnych studentów. Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska VOL. LX, SUPPL. XVI,288. [W:] Promocja zdrowia w hierarchii wartości. Praca zbiorowa. NeuroCentrum,Lublin 3: 284-288. 12. Łaszek A., Nowacka W., Szatko F. (2011). Negatywne wzorce zachowań studentów. Cz. I. Konsumpcja alkoholu i stosowanie substancji psychoaktywnych. Probl. Hig. Epidemiol. 92, 114 13. Macran S. (2004). The Relationship between Body Mass Index and Health-Related Quality of Life. Centre For Health Economics, Discussion Paper 14. Makohoń-Wiadrowska E., Kulik T. (2003) Styl życia młodzieży akademickiej elementem warunkującym zdrowie. Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska VOL. LVIII, SUPPL. XIII, 157. [W:] Model zdrowego stylu życia jako zadanie interdyscyplinarne. Praca zbiorowa. NeuroCentrum, 2: 291-298. 15. Maniecka-Bryła I., Bryła M. (2006). Wybrane elementy stanu zdrowia studentów Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi. Nowiny Lekarskie 75 (4): 344 350 16. Misiarz M. i wsp. (2013). Ocena zachowań żywieniowych studentów kierunków medycznych i niemedycznych z województwa świętokrzyskiego Piel. Zdr. Publ. 3, 3: 265 272 17. Patok J. (2008). Antyzdrowotne zachowania studentów Uniwersytetu Gdańskiego. Zdrowie, Kultura Zdrowotna, Edukacja AWFiS t. II 111-115 18. Rasińska R., Nowakowska I. (2012). Palenie tytoniu wśród studentów porównanie badań własnych z literaturowymi. Przegląd Lekarski 69, 10: 888-892

Wiesław Kurlej, Kamil Nelke, Jacek Zborowski,Bohdan Gworys, Sławomir Woźniak, Paweł Dąbrowski Pedestrian injuries in transport accidents 19. Romanowska-Tołłoczko A. (2011). Styl życia studentów oceniany w kontekście zachowań zdrowotnych. Hygeia public Health 46(1) 89-93 20. Rutledge T. et al.(2010). Self-Rated Versus Objective Health Indicators as Predictors of Major Cardiovascular Events: The NHLBI-Sponsored Women s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation Psychosomatic Medicine 72 (6): 549-555 21. Skop-Lewandowska A., Szot W., Kolarzyk E. (2007). Ocena uzależnienia od nikotyny wśród studentów kierunków medycznych. Probl Hig Epidemiol. 88, 4: 437-440. 22. Słonka K., Rektor Z. (2005). Wybrane elementy stylu życia studentów kształcących się na specjalnościach związanych z medycyną. Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska VOL. LX, SUPPL. XVI, 481. W: Promocja zdrowia w hierarchii wartości. Praca zbiorowa. Neuro- Centrum. 5, 125-129. 23. Szczerbiński R., Karczewski J., Maksymowicz-Jaroszuk J. (2011). Wybrane zachowania zdrowotne studentów Wyższej Szkoły Wychowania Fizycznego i Turystyki zachowania żywieniowe. Bromat. Chem. Toksykol., 44(3): 409-414. 24. Trafalska E.i wsp. (2003). Warunki życia i stan zdrowia w samoocenie studentów Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi. Now. Lek. 72 (2): 154-157 25. Wojtowicz-Chomicz K. i wsp. (2008). Analiza uzależnienia od nikotyny, motywacji do zaprzestania palenia i narażenia na palenie bierne wśród studentów Akademii Medycznej w Lublinie. Probl Hig Epidemiol. 89:142-145 26. Wyka J. i wsp. (2013). Stan odżywienia młodzieży w wieku 17 18 lat w aspekcie zagrożenia zespołem metabolicznym, Bromat. Chem. Toksykol. XLVI, 3: 354 362 ABSTRACT Studies on health-related behaviours are an important element of health assessment. Healthy and unhealthy behaviours which affect health usually focus interest of not only medical, but also scientific and social environments. The aim of our study was to analyse the relationships between self-assessment of health in the surveyed young women and health assessment based on objective parameters, including lifestyle. The questionnaire-based study was carried out among 196 young women aged 18 to 26 years, of which 80% were 21-24 y.o. women. The mean age of respondents was 22.2 years. Anthropometric parameters were used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR), which were then categorized according to WHO standards. Most respondents (77%) had normal proportions between body mass and height. In one out of ten analysed women the value of BMI was above normal. Gynoid body fat distribution was found in about 70% of young women. Underweight state was found with a slightly higher frequency than overweight state or obesity. The fat tissue distribution pattern is closely correlated with respondents' BMI. Young women with higher values of BMI are at risk of developing a negative visceral pattern of fat 185

HEALTH AND WELLNESS 1/2015 Wellness and health distribution. Self-assessment of health by the surveyed women is good and not correlated with their nourishment status. Young women most frequently complain of fatigue and sleepiness. Chronic stress and headache are frequently reported ailments. Respondents self-reporting very good sleep quality rated their health in very positive terms more often than other female students. Insomnia was reported more frequently by underweight women in comparison to women with normal BMI. Alcohol is a popular stimulant, and its consumption was declared by about 90% of the surveyed young women. A low percentage of female students declared tobacco smoking. Healthrelated behaviours in young women are characterised by a number of inconsistencies. It is therefore necessary to carry out a comprehensive analysis covering all elements of lifestyle to make a full assessment of respondents health. STRESZCZENIE Prozdrowotne i antyzdrowotne zachowania, od których jest uzależniony właściwy poziom zdrowia coraz częściej stanowią temat zainteresowań nie tylko środowisk medycznych, lecz również naukowych i społecznych. Celem pracy była analiza związków między samooceną zdrowia badanych młodych kobiet a oceną zdrowia, uzyskana dzięki miernikom obiektywnych z uwzględnieniem stylu życia. Badania przeprowadzono metodą ankietową. Grupa respondentek liczyła 196 kobiet w wieku od 18 do 26 lat, ponad 80% stanowiły osoby 21-24 letnie. Średnia wieku wynosiła 22,2 lata. Na podstawie uzyskanych danych antropometrycznych określono wskaźniki masy ciała BMI badanych, które przyporządkowano do odpowiedniej kategorii wg standardów WHO. Zdecydowaną większość badanych charakteryzowały prawidłowe proporcje masy i wysokości ciała. Wartość wskaźnika BMI co dziesiątej badanej przewyższała przyjętą normę. Gynoidalny typ otłuszczenia cechował prawie 70% młodych kobiet. Niedowaga występowała nieznacznie częściej niż nadwaga i otyłość. Typ dystrybucji tkanki tłuszczowej jest ściśle związany z BMI badanych. Młode kobiety o większych wartościach wskaźnika BMI częściej są narażone na niekorzystny, trzewny typ otłuszczenia ciała. Samoocena stanu zdrowia badanych kobiet jest wysoka i niezależna od prezentowanego stanu odżywienia. Kobiety najczęściej uskarżają się na zmęczenie i senność. Do często zgłaszanych dolegliwości należy przewlekły stres i ból głowy. Ankietowane oceniające jakość swojego snu jako bardzo dobrą częściej niż pozostałe badane dokonują wysokiej subiektywnej oceny stanu zdrowia. Kobiety z niedowagą częściej miewają kłopoty z zaśnięciem niż kobiety o prawidłowych proporcjach wagowo-wzrostowych. Alkohol jest rozpowszechnioną używką, prawie 90% ankietowanych młodych kobiet deklarowało picie alkoholu. Odnotowano niski odsetek studentek sięgających po papierosy. Zachowania zdrowotne młodych kobiet cechują liczne niespójności. Konieczne jest stosowanie kompleksowej analizy obejmującej wszystkie elementy stylu życia dla dokonania pełnej oceny stanu zdrowia badanych. Artykuł zawiera 27492 znaki ze spacjami 186