Obesity in Bavarian Adolescents: Prevalence in Trend, Sociodemographic Structural Features and Subjective Health

Introduction: The World Health Organization counts the increase in obesity as one of the most important public health challenges of the 21(st) century. In Germany the prevention of obesity among children and adolescents currently holds a high priority on the political public health agenda. There is, however, relatively little empirical evidence for the development of obesity prevalence among adolescents. The objective of this work is to analyse data relating to juvenile obesity in Bavaria and to study its relevance for the health of adolescents. Methods: The basis for this work is a representative survey among adolescents in the age group 12-24 years. Available are data from three time periods (1995, 2000, 2005). The data were calculated descriptively as well as in relation to the impact of obesity on general health with multiple binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The obesity prevalence among Bavarian adolescents of the age group 12-24 years has steadily increased from 1995 (2.1 %) to 2000 (3.1 %) and to 2005 (4 %). The obesity prevalence grows with age; it shows a clear social gradient which has become stronger from 2000 to 2005. Obesity as well as the feeling of being overweight emerges from the regression analysis as independent factors influencing the general health. Discussion: Data from medical checks at primary school enrolment in various German regions indicate that obesity in children of that age is no longer increasing. Among adolescents, however, obesity is still growing. This would recommend an age-specific monitoring of this development.