[Nutritional value of meals in the diets of women with normal and excessive body weight].

The study objective was to assess the number and type of the consumed meals during the day and to make a comparison between their energetic and nutritional value in the diets of women with normal and excessive body weight. A questionnaire study was conducted in a group of 346 women aged 18-79 years (mean 41.1 +/- 13.1 years). Normal body weight was noted in 145 women (42%), whereas overweight or obesity in 201 women (58%). The study questionnaire contained questions concerning eating habits, e.g., the number of routinely consumed meals and snacks between them. A 24 h dietary recall was taken of the day preceding the examination in order to perform a quantitative evaluation of daily food rations. Taking into consideration the division into meals, the evaluation referred to the energetic value and the content of basic dietary nutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates) as well as cholesterol and cellulose, using the computer program Diet 2.0 designed in the Institute of Food and Feeding in Warsaw In the two compared groups, a three-meal model predominated and the afternoon snack was most frequently missed. As many as 56% of women with normal body weight and 71% of women with excessive body weight admitted irregular eating between meals. The proportion in energy delivery from the respective meals was disturbed and nutritional abnormalities were found, especially in overweight and obese women.