Health-related behaviour of children and adolescents and their conditioning have been widely studied [1]. The studies aim to recognize and understand the kinds of behaviour conducive or unfavourable to health, their conditioning and promotion of health-oriented behaviour in young people. Modern diseases have been directly linked with the human environment and lifestyle. The change of human behaviour and creation of health-oriented lifestyle conditions is becoming an efficient method of coping with modern health problems [1, 2]. The holistic health concept assumes that the basic health determinant is lifestyle, perceived as a function of health-related behaviour shaping individual health status in about 50% [3]. In children and adolescents the direct influence of health-related behaviour on developmental processes has been observed, as well as the consolidation of behaviour patterns influencing adult lifestyle [3].

The study objective was the analysis of specific kinds of health-related behaviour in a selected group of elementary school students. The analysis covered:

– mode of nutrition according to attainment of standards for daily energy and basic nutrients intake,

– physical activity,

– active and passive exposure to tobacco smoke.

The study group comprised 312 children from the fourth, fifth and sixth grades, randomly selected from Łódź elementary schools, 46% girls and 54% boys. The mode of nutrition was assessed by a triple 24-hour nutritional recall questionnaire. The data were collected during the school year in early spring, using a "photographic album of food products and meals of differentiated rations” and of generally used home measures and conversion tables [4]. The data were analysed using Food 3.1 computer software based on food composition tables and menus balanced by the Institute of Food and Nutrition [5]. The study results included food component reduction and the results were compared with the food intake standards for the population of Poland [6]. The information on physical activity and tobacco smoke exposure was gathered during the medical examination.

The results of the energy and nutrients intake in the studied group are presented in Tables 1 and 2. The percentage of energy from proteins, fats and carbohydrates is presented in table 3.

The subjects´ mode of nutrition in daily energy intake was analysed closely, both in girls and in boys. Comparable results were obtained by J. Czeczelewski et al., where the energy intake in children aged 10-15 years stayed within the limits of ± 10% of the standard deviation [7]. That study´s results showed correct percentage of energy from proteins and carbohydrates and incorrect percentage of energy from fats, by 5.5% higher than recommended.

The microelement intake study revealed the total protein supply, both in girls and in boys, to surpass the safe intake level by about 19-76%; however, it was lower than recommended in girls by about 8-30% and in boys by 15-35%, with adequate dietary proportions of animal and vegetable proteins. The fat intake was differentiated: from correct to elevated; 115% in girls and 129% in boys. PUFA deficiency was noted (2.5 times lower than the standard recommendation). Cholesterol intake was correct. In both girls and boys total carbohydrate intake was adequate, fibre intake was close to the lower standard limit, and saccharose intake was 2.5 times higher than the recommended norm. Similar tendencies were observed in the study of J. Czeczelewski et al., which applied concentration analysis to the assessment of 10-15-year-olds´ nutrition [8]. Excessive protein intake (128%, 160%, 170% of the standard) was noted in three concentrations, and insufficient fibre intake in three different concentrations. The fourth concentration revealed insufficient energy intake (79% of the standard).

Another population study regarding individual mode of nutrition in the general population [9] showed that the energy percentage in the daily food intake of girls and boys surpassed the standards by 5-20%, and the protein percentage by 40-60%. The proportions of animal and vegetable proteins were correct.

Another component of the study was the assessment of school and extra-school physical activities. The medical history data demonstrate that the majority of students attend physical education classes at school (Fig. 1). Only 5 girls and 2 boys were periodically excused from attendance. The reasons given were contusions of lower or upper extremities. Other extra-school organized sport activities were attended by 62% of girls and 40% of boys, with 45 min. to 8 school hours spent on them (Fig. 2). The most popular sports are: swimming, horse riding, cycling, football, combat sports, running, dancing and team sports. Physical activity is one of the most elementary needs of a child and is indispensable in shaping correct physical, motoric, psychological and social development [10]. The correlation between daily physical activity and health status conditioned by metabolic efficiency in children and adolescents is statistically significant, although at a relatively low level. The indices of physical activity, health status (metabolic efficiency-related) and physical efficiency of adolescents aged between 9 and 18 years were studied in a multifactorial analysis. The results suggest that higher activity level connected with greater energy expenditure (moderate and intensive physical exercises), as well as higher physical efficiency indices, are related to a more desirable profile of metabolic risk factors (low arterial blood pressure, low triglyceride, triaciglycerol, LDL-C and glucose concentrations and higher HDL-C concentration) [11]. The literature on the subject indicates that physical activity of the Polish population, including children, is inadequate [10]. Despite the acceleration of physical development of children and adolescents between 1970 and 1990, a constant regression of motoric agility of the young generation has been noted [12]. Simultaneously, between 1990 and 1998 the percentage of adolescents exercising in their leisure time only "adequately” frequently and long grew, and in almost every third boy and every second girl the exercises were infrequent and too brief. These subjects represent the risk group for development of hypokinesis-related disorders [10]. The study by M. Gacek, analysing elementary health behaviour in boys aged 16-19 years, noted inadequate frequency of motoric activity during leisure (at most once a week, or more seldom), reported more often in the fifth grade than the first [3].

Tobacco smoking is one of the most alarming types of anti-health behaviour in Polish adolescents [12]. Passive tobacco smoke inhalation is one of the harmful environmental factors. Passive tobacco smoke exposure is a health risk factor for 20-80% of the population. About 4 million Polish children are assumed to be passively exposed to tobacco smoke [13]. The study assessed active and passive exposure of adolescents to tobacco smoke. Medical history data reveal that over 67% of pupils have been passively exposed to tobacco smoke, taking into consideration the fact of smoking by both or one parent/guardian. None of the respondents declared active tobacco smoking.

1. The mode of nutrition in the studied group shows irregularities, especially regarding protein and fat supply.

2. The physical activity level is adequate in girls and inadequate in boys.

3. Close to 70% of the respondents are passively exposed to tobacco smoke.

4. There is a growing need to promote healthy behaviour in children and their parents.