Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight in Primary School Children in the Rhein-Neckar Region in Germany

Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight in Primary School Children in the Rhein-Neckar Region in Germany - a Cross-Sectional Study / Adipositasprävalenz Bei Grundschulkindern in Der Rhein-Neckar Region - Eine Querschnittsstudie

The study will determine the weight status in primary school children in the Rhein-Neckar Region in Germany and will analyse the development of height and weight in these children during the time of COVID-19 related restrictions by asking parents to provide data from childhood examinations. Additionally, interactions between cognitive abilities and weight-status will be studied.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Obesity, Childhood; Overweight and Obesity; Child Development; Overweight, Childhood; Underweight

Detailed Description

The prevalence of obesity and overweight is increasing among both adults and children. School and kindergarten closings during the COVID-19 epidemic may have had an additional negative impact on the weight development of the affected children. This study aims to examine the post-lockdown prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children in the second grade in the Rhein-Neckar Region in Germany and look at possible lockdown effects. Additionally, interactions between cognitive abilities and weight-status will be studied.

Anthropometric measurements, interviews as well as cognitive testing will be performed in schools in the summer of 2021 in children in the first grade (class 2020/2021). Parents will be asked to provide measurements from U-childhood-examinations and complete a 3-day food record. The local health authority (Gesundheitsamt) will assist in making a representative selection of schools from different socioeconomic areas and provide data from the pre-school examinations. Collected data will be analyzed and compared to national and international surveys, evaluating the trends of the children's height and weight development. Weight status will be assessed by calculating z-BMI standardized for age and compared with national and international growth charts using both national and WHO classification. Potential interrelation between weight-status, weight development with cognitive performance will be explored.

The study will be able to deliver valuable insights in regards to the health of school children in the Rhein-Neckar Region as well as evaluate the effect of COVID-19 related lockdowns on their health.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 250

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, 69115
      • Adipositasnetzwerk Rhein-Neckar e.V.

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 6 years to 8 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Children in the second grade

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Written consent from parents and or guardians

Exclusion Criteria:

• Missing consent of parents or guardians

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Other
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
BMI	Overweight and obesity will be assessed based on the BMI of the children.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
zBMI	zBMI will be calculated using German and WHO growth curves / distributions for evaluating child weight status.	Through study completion, an average of 4 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body weight in kg	Body weight in kg during the study visit at schools	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Height in cm	Height in cm during the study visit at schools	Between October 2021 and January 2022
abdominal circumference in cm	abdominal circumference in cm during the study visit at schools	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Upper arm circumference in cm	Upper arm circumference in cm during the study visit at schools	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Body weight at the time of the U8 physical examination	U-Examinations are standard physical examinations available to all children in Germany at pre-specified timepoints. The results of these is recorded in special booklets, kept by the parents.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Height at the time of the U8 physical examination	U-Examinations are standard physical examinations available to all children in Germany at pre-specified timepoints. The results of these is recorded in special booklets, kept by the parents.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
BMI at the time of the U8 physical examination	U-Examinations are standard physical examinations available to all children in Germany at pre-specified timepoints. The results of these is recorded in special booklets, kept by the parents.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Body weight at the time of the U9 physical examination	U-Examinations are standard physical examinations available to all children in Germany at pre-specified timepoints. The results of these is recorded in special booklets, kept by the parents.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Height at the time of the U9 physical examination	U-Examinations are standard physical examinations available to all children in Germany at pre-specified timepoints. The results of these is recorded in special booklets, kept by the parents.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
BMI at the time of the U9 physical examination	U-Examinations are standard physical examinations available to all children in Germany at pre-specified timepoints. The results of these is recorded in special booklets, kept by the parents.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Body weight S1 examination data	The S1 examination is an examination performed by the health authorities before a child starts goinig to a school. The records are kept by the health authorities.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Height at the time of the S1 examination data	The S1 examination is an examination performed by the health authorities before a child starts goinig to a school. The records are kept by the health authorities.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
BMI at the time of the S1 examination data	The S1 examination is an examination performed by the health authorities before a child starts goinig to a school. The records are kept by the health authorities.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Eating habits	Eating habits will be evaluated using a 3-day food record and a questionnaire	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Physical activity	Physical activity will be assessed using a modified PAQ-C questionnaire as well as a questionnaire for parents	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Cognitive testing: Distractibility	Distractibility will be studied by a computer-based test from the KiTAP test battery developed by PSYTEST Psychologische Testsysteme, Herzogenrath, which will be administered to the children.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Cognitive testing: Cognitive flexibility	Cognitive flexibility will be studied by a computer-based test from the KiTAP test battery developed by PSYTEST Psychologische Testsysteme, Herzogenrath, which will be administered to the children.	Between October 2021 and January 2022
Cognitive testing: Alertness and reactions to multiple stimuli	Alertness and reactions to multiple stimuli will be studied by a computer-based test from the KiTAP test battery developed by PSYTEST Psychologische Testsysteme, Herzogenrath, which will be administered to the children.	Between October 2021 and January 2022

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Adipositasnetzwerk Rhein-Neckar e.V.
• Collaborators: Gesundheitsamt Heidelberg; starScience GmbH; Oatly AB
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Erhard Siegel, MD, Adipositasnetzwerk Rhein-Neckar

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 1, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 30, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): July 30, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 21, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 30, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): October 13, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 16, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 15, 2022
• Last Verified: August 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: obesity; overweight; cognitive function; children; cognitive function and weight status
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Body Weight; Obesity; Pediatric Obesity; Overweight; Thinness
• Other Study ID Numbers: Schools Obesity and Overweight

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No