[Therapy of juvenile obesity from the sports medicine/science viewpoint]. / Therapie der juvenilen Adipositas aus sportmedizinisch/sportwissenschaftlicher Sicht.

Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents had reached its highest level worldwide. In the development of overweight and within interdisciplinary training programs, physical activity and the avoidance of sedentary habits play an important role. Not only is there an increase in energy consumption, but potential comorbidities (e.g., cardiovascular risk factors) are improved. In addition, positive psychosocial benefits occur, e.g., increasing self-esteem, personal, and social skills. During realization, possible risks (e.g., exercise-induced asthma) and barriers have to be taken into account. In terms of physical activity programs, the child's surroundings have to be integrated, and transfer into daily routine should be promoted. Therefore, in addition to athletic content, daily activities have to be trained and supported, e.g., via pedometers. At least 60, better 90 and more minutes of physical activity per day are recommended; the use of audiovisual media should be reduced to a minimum (max. 120 minutes).

[The CHILT I project (Children's Health Interventional Trial). A multicomponent intervention to prevent physical inactivity and overweight in primary schools]. / Das CHILT-I-Projekt (Children's Health InterventionaL Trial). Eine multimodale Maßnahme zur Prävention von Bewegungsmangel und Übergewicht an Grundschulen.

Child and juvenile obesity is increasing worldwide; therefore, effective preventive strategies are warranted. The stepwise project CHILT (Children's Health Interventional Trial) was initiated in 2000 and combines in its multicomponent school-based arm CHILT I health education and physical activity for primary school children to prevent physical inactivity and overweight. The effect on obesity and physical performance was studied in 12 primary schools (intervention schools, IS) compared with 5 control schools (CS). Anthropometric data were recorded. Physical performance was measured by a coordination test for children (the "Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder", KTK) and the 6-minute run. Anthropometric and motoric data of 436 children in IS (55.0% of the population) and 179 children in CS (62.8%) were available at baseline and at follow-up. No difference in the incidence of overweight was found between the IS and CS after 4 years of intervention. Remission of overweight was higher in IS (23.2% versus 19.2%), but not significant. The increase in BMI was significantly lower in IS, in which the program was regularly performed. There was an improvement in selected items of the KTK in IS. In particular, endurance performance tended to be higher at final examination. School-based preventive intervention seems to have a positive influence on physical motor skills and the remission of overweight. To optimize the effects, a consistent and quality assured implementation and the integration of the children's whole environment are warranted.

Correlation between BMI, leisure habits and motor abilities in childhood (CHILT-project).

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing with its negative medical and psychosocial consequences. This paper examines the association between body mass index (BMI), motor abilities and leisure habits of 668 children within the CHILT (Children's Health InterventionaL Trial) project. METHOD: A total of 668 children (51.0% boys; 49.0% girls) and their parents were questioned on sport and leisure behaviour of the children. The anthropometric data were measured. Motor abilities were determined by a body gross motor development test for children (Köperkoordinationstest für Kinder; KTK) and a 6-min run. RESULTS: The children were 6.70 +/- 0.42 y old, 122.72 +/- 5.36 cm tall and weighed 24.47 +/- 4.59 kg, the average BMI was 16.17 +/- 2.27 kg/m2. KTK showed an average motor quotient (MQ) of 93.49 +/- 15.01, the 6-min run an average of 835.24 +/- 110.87 m. Both tests were inversely correlated with BMI (KTK and BMI r=-0.164 (P<0.001); 6-min run and BMI r=-0.201 (P<0.001)); the group of overweight/obese children showed poorer results than the normal/underweight ones, even after adjustment for gender and age (in each case P<0.001). Children with the greatest extent of exercise achieve the highest MQ (P=0.035). SUMMARY: Overweight/obesity is associated with a poorer body gross motor development and endurance performance. On the other hand, an active lifestyle is positively correlated with a better gross motor development in first-grade children. Therefore, to prevent the negative consequences of physical inactivity and overweight/obesity early intervention to support exercise and movement is recommended.