Małgorzata Zimny

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, millions of Ukrainians have experienced forced displacement. This study examined multilevel social determinants of resilience among Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced persons, guided by Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model. In 2025, we conducted a cross-sectional, multi-country study involving 1.622 Ukrainian adults living in seven European countries and internally displaced persons living in Ukraine. Participants completed the Resilience Scale-25, the Cultural Symptoms of Trauma Scale, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Country-adjusted, domain-specific multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors independently associated with moderate-to-high versus low resilience. Resilience levels were heterogeneous: 30.2% of participants had low resilience, 38.4% moderate resilience, and 31.4% high resilience. After adjustment for country of residence, stronger social relationships (OR = 1.20, p < 0.005), stronger family relationships (OR = 1.20, p < 0.005), supporting local initiatives for Ukraine (OR = 1.32, p < 0.05), greater satisfaction with work or education (OR = 1.33, p < 0.001), and better economic condition (OR = 1.24, p < 0.001) were independently associated with moderate-to-high resilience. Diminished competence and agency (OR = 0.45, p < 0.001) and spiritual or existential distress (OR = 0.78, p < 0.05) were negatively associated with resilience, whereas frequency of prayer was positively associated with resilience (OR = 1.23, p < 0.005). Departure from Ukraine more than three months after the outbreak of war was associated with lower odds of moderate-to-high resilience (OR = 0.75, p < 0.05), while stable or improved socioeconomic functioning after migration was associated with higher odds (OR = 1.46, p < 0.05). Resilience among war-displaced Ukrainians was associated with relational, socioeconomic, cultural, and temporal determinants. Responses to forced displacement should extend beyond trauma-focused care to strengthen social ties, support work and education, reduce economic insecurity, and restore competence and agency.

Background: Breastfeeding is widely regarded as the optimal method of infant nutrition. A notable benefit of breastfeeding is its potential to avert the development of childhood overweight and obesity. This assertion holds particular significance in the context of infants whose mothers have exhibited gestational diabetes, a condition that has been demonstrated to be associated with an increased risk of carbohydrate and/or fat disorders in offspring, potentially leading to the onset of overweight and obesity in later life. Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine the variations in the anthropometric dimensions of infants across three distinct time points during the initial year of life, with a particular focus on the correlation between infant feeding practices and the prevalence of gestational diabetes in maternal subjects. Additionally, this study encompassed an analysis of the disparities in anthropometric dimensions between infant males and females. Methods: The study population included 42 infants whose mothers had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy, as well as 28 infants of women without gestational diabetes. The infants’ dietary habits, including breastfeeding, mixed feeding, and formula feeding, were assessed, and their anthropometric measurements were obtained at three time points: 7 ± 1 weeks postpartum, 6 months ± 1 week postpartum, and 12 months ± 1 week postpartum. The infants were measured for weight, length, head circumference, and thickness of the subscapular skin fold. We also calculated their BMI and Ponderal Index, and the measurements were referenced to WHO centile grids. Results: At 7 ± 1 weeks postpartum, exclusively breastfed infants exhibited higher weight compared to those who were mixed-fed or formula-fed (p = 0.03). However, at 1 year of age, breastfed infants demonstrated significantly lower weight compared to formula-fed infants (p = 0.019). Furthermore, at 12 months, breastfed boys exhibited lower weight, length, BMI, and lower subscapular skinfold thickness compared to formula-fed infants. Conclusions: Breastfeeding has been shown to play a pivotal role in preventing obesity in children. In the initial postnatal period, infants who are fed breast milk exhibit a higher weight compared to those who are fed formula. However, by the age of 12 months, the weight of breastfed infants typically falls below that of formula-fed infants. Diabetes during pregnancy has been observed to have no impact on the anthropometric dimensions of infants up to the age of one. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to comprehensively assess the long-term implications of maternal GDM in their offspring.

The total amount of fat in the milk of nursing mothers depends on maternal reserves, as well as food intake and its synthesis in the mammary glands. The aim of this study was to assess the contents of fatty acids in the milk of women from the West Pomeranian region of Poland with regards to supplementation and the amount of adipose tissue. We also wanted to find out whether these women, who have direct access to the sea and potential access to fresh marine fish, have higher levels of DHA. Methods: We analyzed milk samples obtained 6–7 weeks postpartum from 60 women. The content of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) in lipids was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using a Clarus 600 device (PerkinElmer). Results: Women using dietary supplements had significantly higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (C22:6 n-3) (p = 0.000) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (20:5 n-3) (p = 0.000). The levels of eicosatrienoic acid (ETA) (C20:3 n-3) and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) increased with the amount of body fat, and the level of DHA was lowest in subjects where body fat exceeded 40% (p = 0.036). Conclusions: The contents of fatty acids in the milk of women from the West Pomeranian region of Poland were similar to that reported by other authors. The levels of DHA in women using dietary supplements was also comparable to the values reported worldwide. BMI had an effect on the levels of ETE and GLA acids.

Menopause is a natural period resulting from the decrease in hormonal activity of the ovaries. Growing hormonal deficiencies and changes in the body influence a variety of functions in women, leading to depression and decreased quality of life. The relationship between body composition, the severity of depressive and climacteric symptoms and the quality of life of women with type 2 diabetes and healthy women in the perimenopausal period was studied. Statistically significant differences were observed between the study and control groups regarding all body composition parameters except for protein and the content of torso soft tissues (p < 0.05). In both the study and control groups, resulting symptoms were significantly correlated with numerous body composition parameters (e.g., body mass, fat tissue mass, minerals, abdominal circumference), while symptoms of depression were significantly correlated with similar parameters only in the control group. A statistically relevant relationship was observed between the study and control groups with respect to quality of life in certain domains. The quality of life of women suffering from type 2 diabetes was worse compared with healthy women. Analysis of body composition showed significant differences between healthy women and those with type 2 diabetes. Healthy women showed a tendency to establish a link between body composition and depressiveness.