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[Overweight in primary school-age children. Prevalence and risk factors]
M B Funk1, S Bausback-Schomakers2, K M Hanschmann3
1Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin (KKJM) des Klinikums, J. W. Goethe Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland.
Insights
Childhood obesity is rising, with overweight and obese children increasing significantly between ages 5-8. Key risk factors include high TV consumption and poor diet, highlighting the need for early intervention programs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Childhood Obesity Research
Background:
- Preschool age is a critical period for developing overweight and obesity.
- A longitudinal study tracked weight development in children aged 5-8 in Frankfurt from 2010-2013.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of weight in primary school-aged children.
- To identify risk factors associated with childhood overweight and obesity.
Main Methods:
- Weight and height measurements for 5720 children (2010/11) and 3481 children (2012/13).
- Nutritional habits, exercise, and media consumption documented via questionnaires for 4758 children.
- Analysis of weight changes over a 24-month period.
Main Results:
- Overweight prevalence increased from 7.5% to 9.4%; obesity from 4.5% to 5.0% in 24 months.
- Increased TV consumption, lack of physical activity, and high-calorie drink intake were identified risk factors.
- A significant percentage of parents inaccurately perceived their child's weight status.
Conclusions:
- Early intervention and targeted education on obesity risks are crucial for primary school-aged children.
- Healthcare services should establish programs to address childhood overweight and obesity.
- Parental education on recognizing and managing childhood weight is essential.
Background:
Various studies show that pre-school age is a sensitive period for the development of overweight and obesity. During a longitudinal study between 2010 and 2013, the municipal health authority (city of Frankfurt) in cooperation with the university children's hospital investigated the development of weight in children aged 5 to 8.
Materials And Methods:
The weight and height of a collective of 5720 children were measured (2010/11). In addition, nutritional and exercise habits, as well as media consumption was documented for 4758 children through a questionnaire during the school enrolment procedure. The weight and height of 3481 children were measured again in the second grade (2012/13).
Results:
Over a period of 24 months, the percentage of overweight (not obese) children increased from 7.5 to 9.4 % and that of obese children from 4.5 to 5.0 %. 164 of 2818 children with a normal initial weight (5.8 %) changed to percentile class overweight or obese. 79 of 260 children who were initially overweight, not obese (30 %), changed to the group of normal weight, but only 4 out of 156 obese children (3 %). Increased TV consumption (> 1 h per day), availability of their own television, lack of physical activity, and consumption of high-calorie drinks were risk factors for the development of overweight during the primary school age. 72 % of parents of overweight children and 22 % of obese children falsely classified their children as normal weight.
Conclusions:
Targeted education about the risk of obesity in the primary school age and offers for early intervention should be established in the healthcare services concerned.
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