What is the health status of girls and boys in the COVID-19 pandemic? Selected results of the KIDA study

Background: It is well known that there are gender differences in the health behaviour and physical and mental health of children. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the health and lifestyles of children and adolescents by changing their living conditions. The present work investigates whether gender differences in selected health indicators are evident more than two years after the onset of the pandemic. Methods: In the study Kindergesundheit in Deutschland aktuell (KIDA) (German Children’s Health Update), cross-sectional telephone surveys were conducted with parents of 3- to 15-year-olds (n=3,478). Parental information on the general and mental health of the child, on increased need for health care and mental health services, as well as on physical activity and utilisation of sports activities were queried in standardised manner. Gender differences were assessed using Chi2 tests. Results: A total of 91% of the girls and 92% of the boys had their general health assessed as being (very) good by their parents (difference not significant, n.s.). An increased need for care and support was indicated for 10.6% of the 3- to 15-year-olds (girls: 9%, boys: 12%, n.s.). Boys met the physical activity recommendations of the WHO significantly more often (60%) than girls (54%). Good to excellent mental health was reported for 93% of both boys and girls. When changes during the pandemic were reported, no differences were found in the responses for girls compared to boys. Conclusions: Gender differences were found for individual parameters and age groups. These differences must be assessed in the context of other social determinants of health, and need to be considered when planning preventive measures

What is the health status of girls and boys in the COVID-19 pandemic? Selected results of the KIDA study

Background: It is well known that there are gender differences in the health behaviour and physical and mental health of children. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the health and lifestyles of children and adolescents by changing their living conditions. The present work investigates whether gender differences in selected health indicators are evident more than two years after the onset of the pandemic. Methods: In the study Kindergesundheit in Deutschland aktuell (KIDA) (German Children’s Health Update), cross-sectional telephone surveys were conducted with parents of 3- to 15-year-olds (n=3,478). Parental information on the general and mental health of the child, on increased need for health care and mental health services, as well as on physical activity and utilisation of sports activities were queried in standardised manner. Gender differences were assessed using Chi2 tests. Results: A total of 91% of the girls and 92% of the boys had their general health assessed as being (very) good by their parents (difference not significant, n.s.). An increased need for care and support was indicated for 10.6% of the 3- to 15-year-olds (girls: 9%, boys: 12%, n.s.). Boys met the physical activity recommendations of the WHO significantly more often (60%) than girls (54%). Good to excellent mental health was reported for 93% of both boys and girls. When changes during the pandemic were reported, no differences were found in the responses for girls compared to boys. Conclusions: Gender differences were found for individual parameters and age groups. These differences must be assessed in the context of other social determinants of health, and need to be considered when planning preventive measures

Wie steht es um die Gesundheit von Mädchen und Jungen in der COVID-19-Pandemie? Ausgewählte Ergebnisse der KIDA-Studie

Hintergrund: Es ist bekannt, dass es bei Kindern geschlechterbezogene Unterschiede im Gesundheitsverhalten sowie in der körperlichen und psychischen Gesundheit gibt. Die COVID-19-Pandemie beeinflusste durch veränderte Lebensbedingungen die Gesundheit und die Lebensweisen von Kindern und Jugendlichen. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht, ob sich mehr als zwei Jahre nach Pandemiebeginn Geschlechterunterschiede bei ausgewählten Gesundheitsindikatoren zeigen. Methode: In der Studie Kindergesundheit in Deutschland aktuell (KIDA) wurden telefonische Querschnittsbefragungen mit Eltern von 3- bis 15-Jährigen (n = 3.478) durchgeführt. Elternangaben zur allgemeinen und psychischen Gesundheit des Kindes, zu erhöhten Versorgungs- oder Unterstützungsbedarfen sowie zur körperlichen Aktivität und Nutzung von Sportangeboten wurden standardisiert erfragt. Geschlechterunterschiede wurden mit Chi2-Tests bewertet. Ergebnisse: Für 91 % der Mädchen und 92 % der Jungen wurde die allgemeine Gesundheit durch ihre Eltern als (sehr) gut eingeschätzt (Unterschied nicht signifikant). Erhöhte Versorgungs- und Unterstützungsbedarfe wurden für 10,6 % der 3- bis 15-Jährigen angegeben (Mädchen: 9 %, Jungen 12 %, n. s.). Jungen erreichten mit 60 % signifikant häufiger die WHO-Bewegungsempfehlungen als Mädchen (54 %). Für je 93 % der Jungen und Mädchen wurde eine gute bis ausgezeichnete psychische Gesundheit angegeben. Bei Veränderungen der psychischen Gesundheit im Vergleich zum vorpandemischen Zeitraum fanden sich keine Unterschiede in den Antworten zu Mädchen im Vergleich zu Jungen. Schlussfolgerungen: Für einzelne Parameter und Altersgruppen fanden sich Geschlechterunterschiede, die zusammen mit anderen sozialen Determinanten der Gesundheit bewertet und bei präventiven Maßnahmen berücksichtigt werden müssen