[Questionnaire and interview on physical health within the scope of The Child and Adolescent Health Survey]

Physical health is an important dimension within even the broadest concept of health. However, comprehensive and representative data on the physical health of children and adolescents in Germany are so far lacking. In the Health Survey for Children and Adolescents information will be collected on various aspects of physical health: pregnancy, birth, child development, self-rated health, physical well-being, acute and chronic disorders, congenital malformations, injuries, symptoms and complaints, disability and pain. It will be possible to analyse various determinants and consequences of physical health of children in Germany since data will also be collected on health risks, nutrition, physical activity, preventive behavior, quality of life, mental health, environmental aspects, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and use of health services. This paper summarises the items on physical health assessed in the questionnaires and the medical interview, outlines the theoretical background for some methodological issues and reports conclusions from the survey pretest.