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.
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
250
Adipositasnetzwerk Rhein-Neckar e.V.
Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
BMI
Overweight and obesity will be assessed based on the BMI of the children.
Time frame: Between October 2021 and January 2022
zBMI
zBMI will be calculated using German and WHO growth curves / distributions for evaluating child weight status.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 months
Body weight in kg
Body weight in kg during the study visit at schools
Time frame: Between October 2021 and January 2022
Height in cm
Height in cm during the study visit at schools
Time frame: Between October 2021 and January 2022
abdominal circumference in cm
abdominal circumference in cm during the study visit at schools
Time frame: Between October 2021 and January 2022
Upper arm circumference in cm
Upper arm circumference in cm during the study visit at schools
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: Between October 2021 and January 2022
Eating habits
Eating habits will be evaluated using a 3-day food record and a questionnaire
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: Between October 2021 and January 2022
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.