Determinants of organised sports participation patterns during the transition from childhood to adolescence in Germany: results of a nationwide cohort study

Abstract Background Organised sports (OS) participation is an important health behaviour but it seems to decline from childhood to adolescence. The aim of this study was to investigate OS participation patterns from childhood to adolescence and potential determinants for those patterns. Methods Data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) cohort study with a 6 year follow-up period were used (KiGGS0: 2003-06, KiGGS1: 2009-12). Participants aged 6–10 years at KiGGS0, who were aged 12–16 at KiGGS1, were included (n = 3790). The outcome variable was ‘OS participation’ between KiGGS0 and KiGGS1 with the categories ‘maintenance’ (reference), ‘dropout’, ‘commencement’ and ‘nonparticipation’. Relative risk ratios (RRRs) were calculated using multinomial logistic regression to identify potential predictors for OS patterns. Socio-demographic, family-related, health-related, behavioural and environmental factors were considered as independent variables. Results 48.5 % maintained OS, 20.5 % dropped out, 12.3 % commenced OS between KiGGS0 and KiGGS1 and 18.7 % did not participate at both times. The RRRs for dropout rather than maintenance were 0.6 (95 % Cl 0.5–0.7) for boys versus girls, 1.5 (1.3–1.9) for the age group 8–10 versus 6–7 years, 0.7 (0.5–0.9) for high versus intermediate parental education, 1.4 (1.1–1.8) for low versus middle household income, 1.4 (1.0–1.8) for below-average versus average motor fitness. The RRRs for commencement rather than maintenance were 0.6 (0.5–0.8) for boys versus girls, 0.6 (0.5–0.8) for the age group 8–10 versus 6–7 years, 1.5 (1.1–2.1) for low versus intermediate parental education, 1.5 (1.1–2.0) for low versus middle household income, 0.7 (0.5–1.0) for no single-parent versus single parent family, 1.8 (1.3–2.5) for below-average and 0.6 (0.4–0.8) for above-average versus average motor fitness, and 1.4 (1.1–1.9) for high versus middle screen-based media use. The RRRs for abstinence rather than maintenance were 0.6 (0.4–0.7) for boys versus girls, 1.5 (1.1–2.0) for low versus intermediate parental education, 2.2 (1.7–2.8) for low and 0.6 (0.5–0.8) for high versus middle household income, 1.6 (1.2–2.1) for psychopathological problems versus no problems, 1.7 (1.3–2.2) for below-average and 0.4 (0.3–0.6) for above-average versus average motor fitness, and 1.6 (1.0–2.6) for rural versus metropolitan residential area. Conclusions OS participation rates among all children living in Germany need to be improved. More tailored offerings are needed which consider the preferences and interests of adolescents as well as a cooperation between public health actors to reduce barriers to OS

Overweight and obesity among adults in Germany - Results from GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS

Background: Overweight and obesity and their associated secondary diseases are of high public health relevance. Methods: Self-reported body weight and body height data are available in the study German Health Update (GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS). The body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was calculated and overweight (including obesity, BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) were derived. Results: According to this self-report, 53.5% of adults in Germany are overweight, men more often than women. The obesity prevalence for both sexes is 19.0%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increases with age in both women and men. Obesity is significantly more prevalent in low education groups compared to high education groups. Compared to GEDA 2012, the prevalence of overweight is unchanged, but the obesity prevalence has continued to increase, particularly among 45- to 64-year-olds. Conclusion: The prevention potential of avoiding overweight and obesity remains high

How has body weight changed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Background: Measures for containing the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 resulted in drastic changes in physical activity and dietary habits that also impacted body weight. Methods: The representative study German Health Update (GEDA 2021) includes self-reported information about body weight and body height for adults aged 18 years and older (n=2,985) from July to October 2021. In addition, the study asked about changes in body weight since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: For 59% of participants, body weight has not changed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, 26% report weight gain, and 15% report weight loss. Younger people indicate weight gain more often than older people, and individuals with obesity report weight gain more often than individuals without obesity. 1.5 years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the average weight change within the population is approximately +0.34kg. Conclusions: The effects of restrictions in everyday life with regard to the possible negative impacts on body weight should be given greater consideration and should be monitored in the future

Health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity: results from the German KIGGS survey

Background The well-being of persons with overweight and obesity, in particular of children and adolescents, may be impaired. The present study investigates the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of girls and boys with overweight and obesity living in Germany as compared to those of normal-weight, while taking a selection of relevant determinants of HRQoL into account. Methods The sample comprises 1771 children and adolescents aged 11 to 17 years that took part in the cross-sectional German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KIGGS Wave 2, 2014–2017). Sex-and age-specific BMI (kg/m2) percentiles were utilized to classify overweight and obesity. HRQoL was measured with the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire, which gathers detailed information about the five dimensions physical and psychological well-being, well-being regarding peers (i.e., social acceptance), parents (i.e., autonomy) and within the school environment. Multiple regression analyses were performed with HRQoL dimensions as outcomes to test for differences between children and adolescents with normal-weight vs. those with overweight and vs. those with obesity, separately for girls and boys. In a next step, age, physical activity, media consumption, social support and self-efficacy were considered as potential confounders in the analyses. Results 18.7% of the children and adolescents under study were affected by overweight and among them 8.0% by obesity. After adjusting for potential confounders, overweight and obesity were associated with lower physical well-being as compared to normal weight in both sexes (boys with overweight: standardized beta [β] = −.14, standard error [SE] = .03, p < .001, and obesity: β = −.16, SE = .03, p < .001; girls with overweight: β = −.09, SE = .04, p = .011, and obesity: β = −.11, SE = .03, p = .003). Results moreover suggest lower levels of psychological (β = −.10, SE = .04, p = .002) and parent-related well-being (β = −.08, SE = .04, p = .036) of boys with obesity as compared to normal-weight peers. Conclusion HRQoL of German children and adolescents with overweight and obesity is impaired according to physical well-being in general, while psychological and parent-related well-being is particularly affected in boys. Public health approaches should therefore promote children and adolescents with overweight and obesity by improving diverse facets of HRQoL as well as relevant associated factors (i.e., media consumption, self-efficacy) in general and in boys in particular.Peer Reviewe

Pathways of Parental Education on Children's and Adolescent's Body Mass Index: The Mediating Roles of Behavioral and Psychological Factors

Aim: The increasing body mass index (BMI) often followed by overweight and obesity is a global health problem of the 21st century. Children and adolescents with lower socioeconomic status are more affected than their counterparts. The mechanisms behind these differences must be well understood to develop effective prevention strategies. This analysis aims at examining the association of parental education as an indicator of the socioeconomic status on children's and adolescent's body mass index and the role of behavioral and psychological risk factors for a higher BMI longitudinally. Methods: The analysis was based on a nationwide sample of N = 460 children and adolescents, aged 11 to 17 at baseline (2009–2012), who took part in the representative BELLA study, the mental health module of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey among Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). A follow-up was conducted 5 years later. Using mediation analyses, the mediating effects of breakfast consumption, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, screen time, physical activity, mental health problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), and health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-10) on the association of parent's years of education on their children's BMI were investigated. Results: A lower level of parental education was significantly associated with a higher BMI in children and adolescents 5 years later. The association was partially mediated by breakfast consumption and total screen time, with breakfast consumption mediating 16.7% and total screen time 27.8% of the association. After controlling for age, gender, and migration status, only breakfast consumption remained a partial mediator (8.5%). Other included variables had no mediating effects. Conclusions: Preventive measures should be mainly targeted at children and adolescents of parents with lower educational levels. Tailored strategies to prevent the development of overweight and obesity in this population among children and adolescents should promote daily breakfast consumption at home and reducing screen time.Peer Reviewe

Übergewicht und Adipositas bei Erwachsenen in Deutschland - Ergebnisse der Studie GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS

Hintergrund: Übergewicht und Adipositas und die damit verbundenen Folgekrankheiten sind von hoher Public-Health- Relevanz. Methode: In der Studie Gesundheit in Deutschland aktuell (GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS) liegen Selbstangaben zu Körpergewicht und Körpergröße vor. Daraus wurde der Body-Mass-Index (BMI, kg/m2) berechnet und die Indikatoren Übergewicht (einschließlich Adipositas, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) und Adipositas (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) abgeleitet. Ergebnisse: Laut dieser Selbstauskunft sind in Deutschland 53,5 % der Erwachsenen von Übergewicht betroffen, Männer häufiger als Frauen. Die Adipositasprävalenz liegt für beide Geschlechter bei 19,0 %. Mit zunehmendem Alter steigt bei Frauen und Männern die Prävalenz von Übergewicht sowie Adipositas an. Adipositas ist in unteren Bildungsgruppen im Vergleich zu oberen Bildungsgruppen deutlich häufiger zu finden. Im Vergleich zu GEDA 2012 ist die Prävalenz von Übergewicht unverändert, die Adipositasprävalenz hat jedoch weiter zugenommen, insbesondere bei den 45- bis 64-Jährig Schlussfolgerung: Das Präventionspotenzial, Übergewicht und Adipositas zu vermeiden, ist nach wie vor groß

Wie hat sich das Körpergewicht seit Beginn der COVID-19 Pandemie verändert?

Hintergrund: Maßnahmen zur Eindämmung der COVID-19-Pandemie im Jahr 2020 und 2021 führten zu einschneidenden Veränderungen im Bewegungs- und Ernährungsverhalten, die sich auch auf das Körpergewicht auswirkten. Methode: In der repräsentativen Studie Gesundheit in Deutschland aktuell (GEDA 2021) liegen für den Zeitraum von Juli bis Oktober 2021 Selbstangaben zu Körpergewicht und Körpergröße für Erwachsene ab 18 Jahren (N = 2.985) vor. Darüber hinaus wurde nach der Veränderung des Körpergewichts seit Beginn der COVID-19-Pandemie gefragt. Ergebnisse: Für 59 % der Befragten hat sich das Körpergewicht seit Beginn der COVID-19-Pandemie nicht verändert, 26 % berichten eine Gewichtszunahme und 15 % eine Gewichtsabnahme. Jüngere geben häufiger eine Gewichtszunahme an als ältere Personen und Personen mit einer Adipositas berichten häufiger eine Gewichtszunahme als Personen ohne Adipositas. 1,5 Jahre nach Beginn der COVID-19-Pandemie beträgt die mittlere Gewichtsveränderung in der Bevölkerung etwa + 0,34 kg. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Folgen von Alltagseinschränkungen hinsichtlich ihrer möglichen nachteiligen Auswirkungen auf das Körpergewicht sollten in Zukunft stärker berücksichtigt und beobachtet werden

Health-promoting behaviour among adults in Germany – Results from GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS

Health-promoting behaviours are important at any age to prevent diseases and to promote well-being. Using data from GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS, a Germany-wide, representative survey, this article describes how often the adult population in Germany reports certain types of health-promoting behaviour in their everyday lives. The behaviours considered are non-smoking, low-risk alcohol consumption, achievement of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations on aerobic physical activity, at least daily fruit and vegetable consumption, and maintaining a body weight within the normal range. This article describes the proportion of people who report these behaviours in their everyday lives by gender, age and education level, the number of health-promoting behaviours each person reports and the most common combinations in which they occur. Young adults between 18 and 29 years are most likely to achieve a health-promoting lifestyle. The proportion of people who report at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week and a normal body weight is lower in later adulthood than among 18- to 29-year-olds. The recommendation to eat fruit and vegetables daily is implemented least often of all five aspects of health behaviour under study. Finally, women are more likely to lead a health-promoting lifestyle than men.Health-promoting behaviours are important at any age to prevent diseases and to promote well-being. Using data from GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS, a Germany-wide, representative survey, this article describes how often the adult population in Germany reports certain types of health-promoting behaviour in their everyday lives. The behaviours considered are non-smoking, low-risk alcohol consumption, achievement of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations on aerobic physical activity, at least daily fruit and vegetable consumption, and maintaining a body weight within the normal range. This article describes the proportion of people who report these behaviours in their everyday lives by gender, age and education level, the number of health-promoting behaviours each person reports and the most common combinations in which they occur. Young adults between 18 and 29 years are most likely to achieve a health-promoting lifestyle. The proportion of people who report at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week and a normal body weight is lower in later adulthood than among 18- to 29-year-olds. The recommendation to eat fruit and vegetables daily is implemented least often of all five aspects of health behaviour under study. Finally, women are more likely to lead a health-promoting lifestyle than men.Peer Reviewe

Individual trajectories of asthma, obesity and ADHD during the transition from childhood and adolescence to young adulthood

The German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) provides comprehensive and reliable data on the health situation of the upcoming generation. The KiGGS cohort accompanies participants from the KiGGS baseline study (2003–2006) into adulthood. Until now, two follow-up surveys of the cohort have been implemented with KiGGS Wave 1 (2009–2012) and KiGGS Wave 2 (2014–2017). In KiGGS Wave 2, the cohort was supplemented by the in-depth study ‘Family and care-specific factors influencing the development, trajectories and effects of mental disorders (especially ADHD), obesity and allergic diseases (especially asthma)’. One aim of the study was to identify individual trajectories of these health disorders. For this purpose, probabilities for typical transitions from the KiGGS baseline study to KiGGS Wave 2 were calculated. An important result is that many participants who had asthma, obesity or ADHD at KiGGS baseline still had the disease more than ten years later: Over a third still had asthma (35%) or ADHD (37%), and almost half were still affected by obesity (47%). The results point to the need for early preventive measures to stop these potentially chronic diseases from developing in childhood and adolescence. ASTHMA · OBESITY · ADHD · TRANSITION · YOUNG ADULTHOOD · KIGG

Health situation in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. Developments over time for selected indicators of GEDA 2019/2020 – An update

The spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 and the containment measures associated therewith have changed many aspects of daily life. An impact on health even beyond infections itself is assumed as well. The health situation of the population in the first phase of the pandemic was thus analysed using data from the German Health Update (GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS). By continuing the survey, the analyses for 2020 are completed (n=26,507 participants), whereby the focus is now on the third phase of the pandemic (second wave of infection, gradual reintroduction of containment measures). The health indicators are presented on a monthly basis. As in the first phase of the pandemic, no pandemic-related changes were observed for tobacco smoking/ second-hand smoke exposure and for received/lack of/provided support. In contrast to the first phase of the pandemic, declines in utilisation of medical services and depressive symptoms are not observed in the third phase. The increase in body weight/body mass index after the first phase of the pandemic did not continue. The survey period allows for a comparison of the periods before and as of the pandemic situation. A decrease in the medical services utilisation and depressive symptoms as well as an increase in the body weight/body mass index is observed in the period from March 2020 to January 2021 compared to the pre-pandemic period from April 2019 to March 2020