OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence and changes in the prevalence of over
weight and obesity among school children in Jena (Germany) in the last twen
ty years and to identify factors associated with childhood overweight.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional surveys in 1975, 1985, 1995 and a household questio
nnaire in 1995.
SUBJECTS: Children from schools in Jena, aged 7-14 y, participated (1975 :
1002 boys and 1000 girls; 1985 : 781 boys and 753 girls; 1995 :989 boys and
912 girls).
MEASUREMENTS: Prevalence of overweight or obesity based on the 90th or 97th
age - and sex - specific percentile of the body mass index (BMI) developed
for French children. In 1995 factors examined in relation to overweight in
cluded birth weight, birth length, age-class, number of children in househo
ld, occupation of the father, education of the mother and size of flat (apa
rtment).
RESULTS: In boys the prevalence of overweight increased from 10.0 to 16.3%
and in girls from 11.7 to 20.7% between 1975 and 1995. The prevalence of ob
esity increased from 5.3 to 8.2% in boys and from 4.7 to 9.9% in girls betw
een 1975 and 1995. However, the peak in the increase of overweight as well
as of obesity lie for both sexes between 1985 and 1995. Using logistic regr
ession, statistically significant associations with overweight were found f
or occupation of the father, birth weight in both sexes and additionally, f
or size of flat in girls.
CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obesity are incresing health problems among Jen
a children. Further investigations are needed to explore the influence of f
actors such as feeding pattern, food habits and physical activity on overwe
ight. Special attention should be paid to the further social development in
the society and to the link between low social class and overweight. Throu
gh such investigations effective preventive strategies could be developed.