Overweight students become slimmer again

Students become slimmer again, as a scientific study showed

08/09/2011

Almost every day parents and children read in the newspaper: Students in Germany are increasingly suffering from overweight or obesity. It is true that the prevalence of obesity has increased rapidly in the last 20 years. According to a study by doctors at the University Children's Hospital in Ulm, the average weight of elementary schoolchildren has been decreasing slightly since 2008.

Obesity and obesity are among the biggest challenges of western industrialized countries. A significant contributor to this fact is the food industry, which produces and promotes food and beverages with tons of sugar and artificial flavors. The biggest victims of this excessive consumption are children, who are indoctrinated by the partial ignorance of parents and the influence of advertising. But for some years now, a critical attitude has emerged that no longer meets the food industry uncritically and leads to a more conscious lifestyle. This trend is probably continuing in the education of children. For some years researchers have been able to find a positive weight development in children. Scientists of the University of Ulm have in the journal „European Journal of Pediatrics“ published an extensive study on this topic. The conclusion: Germany's children are statistically thinner again.

3 percent less overweight among freshmen
As part of the study, the team examined researcher Dr. med. Anja Moß the weight and size data of over 600,000 children who were enrolled throughout Germany. The data came from the results of the school entrance examinations from the school entrance year 2008. The results of the most recent studies of school beginners from 2004 were used as comparative data. Overall, the research team was able to determine that the proportion of overweight children had declined by a good 3 percent. This significant change was detected in 14 of 16 federal states. Only in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg was there an almost insignificant increase in the average weight.

The scientists do not want to misunderstand their results. After all, the positive development by no means means, „that we can stop our efforts to prevent overweight and obesity“, like the specialist in paediatrics Martin Wabitsch from Ulm emphasized. Because despite the indicated decline „The rates of overweight and obese students in Germany remain at a high level. "As the pediatrician explained.

In Bremen and Thuringia the most overweight first graders
In the federal states of Bremen and Thuringia, 11.9 percent of all countries are overweight school-age beginners. Followed by Bayern with a share of 8.6 and Brandenburg with 8.5 and Saxony with 8.4 percent. A high proportion of obese children are recorded in the states of Saarland and Thuringia, each with 5.1 percent. Although the proportion of obese children in Brandenburg and Saxony is relatively high, the proportion of obese children with 3.3 percent each is at a low level. Even in Bavaria, the percentage of obese first graders is still 3.4 percent despite the relatively high proportion „normal overweight“ low at 3.4 percent.

Trend reversal possibly through reconnaissance efforts
Why a trend reversal is recognizable, the study authors can only guess. „We do not know why we saw a decline in weight among freshmen“, Study Director Moss said. But: "An increased awareness of obesity and the educational efforts of doctors and professional associations probably contribute." Whether this assumption is correct, one could only underline further studies. Whether the prevention campaigns have led to „Fewer children get fat, can not derive from the existing data“.

Consequences for the health
Obesity and obesity (overweight with illness) already at a young age can have fatal consequences for the health. The risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, back pain and other orthopedic conditions is increasing enormously. Obese children are often socially disadvantaged and teased by other children. Such mental factors favor depression. „Then a veritable vicious circle begins, says graduate pedagogue Gritli Bertram from Hanover. „Out of frustration, most children eat even more“. Although most parents and children know, „that they should move more, feed better and change their behavior, but they just can not make it, "says Anja Moß.

As of when excess weight is defined as such, the experts argue about it. The World Health Organization says there are three weight categories. For most school physicians and medical associations this classification is an important orientation. Underweight is a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5. Who has a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, is considered normal weight. A BMI of over 25 is considered to be overweight and from a BMI 30, doctors speak of obesity or obesity. From a massive obesity one speaks from a value of 40.

The BMI is calculated on the one hand from age, body weight and height in meters. For example: A person 160 cm tall and weighing 60 kg has a BMI of 23.4. Calculated: 60 kg through (1.6 m) 2 = 23.4 BMI. If the person is between 19-24 years old, the BMI is in the ideal range. However, this basis of calculation applies only to adults. For children, completely different fundamentals apply again. Because in children, the determination of values ​​changes continuously due to age and sex. Therefore, the BMI is recorded here by means of a uniform growth curve, which is then compared with the weight of the peers. Thus, the scientists were able to determine a division of ideal weight, obesity and obesity during the research work. According to statistical data, overweight is present when 90 percent of children of the same age and gender have a lower BMI. If the child has a higher weight than 97 percent of the age-matched comparison group, then there is already obese disease.

Turnaround also in other industrial nations
There is also a slight trend reversal in the USA. A team of researchers from the National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville had studied the data of more than 4,000 children and adolescents as well as 5555 adults. Here, too, are the surveys from the year 2008. The scientists around Katherine Flegal came to the conclusion that at least the overweight in the US no longer increases significantly. However, 9.5 percent of children under the age of 14 and 18 percent of American adolescents are overweight. In other industrialized countries, such as France, Denmark, Sweden or Australia, recent studies have shown that the increase in the overweight problem is initially halted. The numbers show that the problem still exists in massive form, but at least does not progress any further.

Whether the classification of obesity or obesity is still in existence today about it is further argued in professional circles vigorously. Recent health-related analyzes have shown that slight overweight does not make you sick right away. Some physicians claim that a few pounds too much increases life expectancy and also makes less ill. But even such studies are to be treated with caution, since a blanket judgment on the individual condition of humans is hardly possible. Anyone who has a few kilograms more in childhood can still be of normal weight at a later age. "Anyone who is slightly overweight at the age of three or eight may well be back with the next growth spurt," says Anja Moß. In obesity, however, the opinion of the scientists is clearer: this definitely harms the health, as the researcher thinks. (Sb)

BMI table

The BMI depends on the age. The table shows which BMI values ​​are valid for different age groups according to WHO recommendations:
19-24 years / BMI: 19-24
25-34 years / BMI: 20-25
35-44 years / BMI: 21-26
45-54 years / BMI: 22-27
55-64 years / BMI: 23-28
from age 64 / BMI: 24-29

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Picture: Gerd Altmann