Assessing Overweight, Obesity, and Related Risk Factors in 8-9-Year-Old Children in Szczecin, Poland.

Childhood obesity is a significant public health issue. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 8- and 9-year-old children in Szczecin, Poland, and unlike other studies to assess differences in nutritional status within a single urban agglomeration of nearly 500,000 residents, it was influenced by place of residence and socioeconomic status. The study included 4705 children (2327 boys and 2378 girls) aged 8 and 9 years, attending 50 primary schools in Szczecin (45 public, 5 private) across four districts: North, Right Bank, City Center, and West.

Assessment pf physical fitness of 8 and 9-year-old children from Szczecin,Poland, involved in the obesity prevention program - pilot study.

Introduction: Increasing incidence of excess weight and poor physical fitness of children validates the need for preventive actions. The Szczecin municipality (gmina Szczecin) runs the "Odważna ósemka" ("The Brave Eight") program - Prevention of excess weight and obesity in 8 and 9-year-old children attending elementary school in Szczecin, Poland.

Aim: The assessment of physical fitness as well as the prevalence and intensity of excess body weight and blood pressure rates among the 8 and 9-year-old children attending elementary school in Szczecin, Poland.