# Fish Consumption Frequency in the Adult Population in Poland
###### Abstract  
Fish provide energy, protein, and other important nutrients, including n-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and iodine. However, some species of fish could contain contaminants such as mercury and dioxins. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of fish consumption in Poland, including of sea and freshwater fish species, referring to some socio-economic determinants. The frequency of consumption was assessed using Food Propensity Questionnaire data from 1489 adults (722 males, 767 females) in 2019-2020. The fish consumption frequency in Polish adults was lower than the recommendation (at least twice a week). About 80% of respondents consumed fish less frequently than recommended. Sea fish were mostly consumed less than once a month (31.8%) or 1-3 times a month (30.9%). Most subjects (44.8%) consumed freshwater fish less than once a month. Consumption also depended educational level, economic status, place of residence, declared health status, and BMI value or BMI status. However, taking into account sex, the occurrence of these relationships was different between men and women. It seems that educational activities and dissemination of proper nutrition principles is necessary in order to increase the consumption of fish in Poland. It is important to emphasize the health benefits of fish consumption in relation to the possible adverse effects of their contamination. fish; sea fish; freshwater fish; consumption frequency; adults; Poland +
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(with 1.3 million tonnes) and blue whiting and mackerel (together, more than 1.2 million tonnes) [6]. In Poland, processed fish products (including canned fish) account for the largest share (45.2%) of total fish industry production. The highest share of such products was observed in Germany, of 81%. In Poland, processed herring products have the largest market share (43% in 2022). It should be added that Poland is the most important producer of salted fish products (29.3% of total EU production in 2022) [7]. According to the results of the Household Budget Survey provided by Statistics Poland, in 2012 the average consumption of fish and fish products in all households was 0.42 kg/person/month, of which sea and freshwater fish (fresh, chilled or frozen) was 0.26 kg/person/month [8]. In 2022, the consumption of fish and seafood and their products was 0.24 kg/person/month. Dried, smoked, or salted fish and seafood accounted for 37.5% of this food group [9]. These differences may be due to a change in the classification of fish products in the Household Budget Survey. Currently, consumption data do not include tinned and pickled fish. These data are only included in expenditure. According to the Food Balance Sheet, the consumption of fish and seafood in 2022 was 13.68 kg/person/year in live fish equivalents [10]. Using conversion factors developed on the basis of Polish Food Composition Tables [11], the consumption of fish edible parts in 2022 was 7.43 kg/person/year. Most of the fish consumed in Poland was frozen fish, with a share of 79.5%. Compared to the previous year, this consumption was about 5% lower. The share of freshwater fish was 16.9% [10]. According to FAOSTAT data, fish consumption in Poland in 2021 was lower than in the European Union as a whole. For sea fish it was 9.75 kg/person/year in Poland com-pared to 13.97 kg/person/year in the European Union. For freshwater fish it was 0.92 vs. 3.78 kg/person/year [12]. Polish market analysis has shown that Poles mainly consume sea fish, such as pollock, herring, mackerel, cod, and, less frequently, tuna and salmon; consumption of freshwater fish is mainly of panga [13]. The results of a nationwide cross-sectional study conducted in 2021 among Polish youth aged 14-22 years shows that the species of fish most frequently consumed by respondents were salmon, cod, mackerel, herring, tuna, and pollock [14]. In addition to providing valuable nutrients, fish is also a source of contaminants, particularly heavy metals.