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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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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

Conditions
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Overweight, Childhood, Obesity, Childhood, Child Development, Overweight and Obesity, Underweight

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Written consent from parents and or guardians Exclusion Criteria: Missing consent of parents or guardians

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Years
Maximum Age: 8 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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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 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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overweight, obesity, children, cognitive function, cognitive function and weight status