Abstract

The public opinion inquiry research about meaning physical activity as cardiovascular diseases preventive method was one of the tasks realized during Polish 400 Cities Project. In the research participated by inhabitants of small Polish cities, differences in age, sex and body weight expressed by BMI (Body Mass Index) were taking into account. In this study it was used data gathered from the information from 886 people. Among this group there were 489 women and 397 men. The majority of participants of the inquiry have correct body mass. In the group there were women and men of the age less than 40 years old. However women and men, who were older than 40 years significantly rarer (34%) have proper BMI than people who were less than 40 (67%). It was significant and was observed equally between women and men. In the older age groups the increase of the proportion of women and men with overweight was observed. Among older than 40 years women percentage of overweight came to 32,75%, among men to 42.92%. It should be noticed that the number of women older than 40 years with obesity increased from 10.89% to 30.31%. The number of men with obesity increased from 12.28% to 26.99%. In each age group the majority of people with incorrect BMI consider that physical activity is one of cardiovascular diseases preventive method. Participating in physical activity in order to protect heart against coronary heart disease was declared by 30%. Among participants of the inquiry there were people who declare that they take part in physical activity without healthy reasons. Health awareness in people declarations is significantly different from their real health behavior. To minimize this difference the priority tasks should be stated for realizing the multidisciplinary work in health care system.

Adres: dr Marzena Zarzeczna-Baran
Zakład Zdrowia Publicznego i Medycyny Społecznej AMG
Al. Zwycięstwa 42a, 80-210 Gdańsk
tel. (058) 349-15-40, fax (058) 349-15-48
e-mail: mazar@gumed.edu.pl