Bundesgesundheitsbl – Gesundheitsforsch – Gesundheitsschutz 2007 • 50: 871-878

U. Ravens-Sieberer, N. Wille, S. Bettge, M. Erhart

Mental health of children and adolescents in Germany. Results from the BELLA study within the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) [pdf]

Abstract

The Mental Health Module (BELLA study) examines emotional well-being and behaviour in a representative sub-sample of 2,863 families with children aged 7 to 17 from the National Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). The prevalence of mental health problems was determined using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and additional standardised screening measures. Of children and adolescents, 21.9 % (95 %CI: 19.9–24.0) showed signs of mental health problems. The psychiatric disorders observed included anxiety (10.0 %; 95 % CI: 8.7–11.6), conduct disorder (7.6 %; 95 % CI: 6.5–8.7) and depression (5.4 %; 95 % CI: 4.3–6.6). Of the risk factors examined, adverse family climate and low socioeconomic status stand out particularly as negative contributors. When several risk factors occur simultaneously, the prevalence of mental health problems increases markedly. Conversely, positive individual, family and social resources coincide with an absence of mental health problems. Children and adolescents with mental health problems display distinctly impaired health-related quality of life, and far from all of them are receiving treatment. Identifying high risk groups therefore requires the assessment of available resources in addition to the usual risk factors for mental and subjective health. Strengthening these resources should be a key objective, both in prevention and in interventions.

Keywords  Health survey - Children - Adolescents - Mental health - Protective factors - Risk factors

Bundesgesundheitsbl – Gesundheitsforsch – Gesundheitsschutz 2007 • 50: 879-888

E. Opper, A. Worth, M. Wagner, K. Bös

The module “Motorik” in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). Motor Fitness and physical activity of children and young people [pdf]

Abstract

Motor fitness and physical activity are important aspects of a healthy development in childhood and adolescence. However, the assessment of motor fitness and physical activity is not subject to standardized criteria; furthermore, the samples investigated do not provide a representative image of the whole population. Therefore, the existing data only allow very limited statements on the state and development of motor fitness and physical activity. The “Motorik” module, as part of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), offers nationwide representative data on the motor fitness and physical activity of children and adolescents for the first time. Besides the baseline-analysis, another aim is to analyse the complex relationship between motor fitness, physical activity and health. Motor fitness, based on the systematisation of motor abilities, was assessed using a test profile. The test profile consists of 11 items measuring cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, coordination and mobility. Physical activity was assessed using a questionnaire containing 51 items on the duration, intensity and frequency of physical activity in everyday life, during leisure time, at school and in sports clubs. The above-mentioned questionnaire subtopics were supplemented by questions on the weekly prevalence of at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity, on material and local conditions, as well as on cognition and motivation for physical activity. In the years 2004 to 2006, the motor fitness and physical activity of 4,529 children and young people between the ages of 4 and 17 years was investigated on 168 sample points in the context of the “Motorik” module. Half of the children and adolescents investigated belong to the middle class, approximately 15% have a background of migration. The majority of the subjects come from small towns, about a quarter live in the city, less than 20% are settled in rural areas.

Keywords  Health survey - Children - Adolescents - Motor fitness - Physical activity - Representative data

Bundesgesundheitsbl – Gesundheitsforsch – Gesundheitsschutz 2007 • 50: 889-894

C. Schulz, U. Wolf, K. Becker, A. Conrad, A. Hünken, A. Lüdecke, M. Müssig-Zufika, S. Riedel, I. Seiffert, M. Seiwert, M. Kolossa-Gehring

German Environmental Survey for Children (GerES IV) in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). First results [pdf]

Abstract

The German Environmental Survey for Children (GerES IV) is the environment-related module of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) of the Robert Koch Institute and the fourth GerES of the Federal Environment Agency. The main objective of GerESs is to analyse and document the extent, distribution and determinants of exposure to environmental pollutants of the German general population. GerES IV was performed from 2003 to 2006. A total of 1.790 children aged 3–14 years from 150 sampling locations participated in GerES IV. Samples of blood, urine, tap water, house dust and indoor air were analysed. Hearing tests, measurements of traffic noise and interviews to get exposure-related information were conducted. First results indicate a clear decrease of the exposure to arsenic, lead and mercury. Cotinine concentrations in urine can be used to classify the exposure of children to environmental tobacco smoke. The examination of the tap water used in the subjects' households indicates that in some households the guideline values of the German Drinking Water Ordinance were not always met. This is the case for nickel, copper and lead which are used as pipe material for domestic plumbing.

Keywords  Health survey - Children - Adolescents - GerES - Environment - Human biomonitoring - Drinking water

Bundesgesundheitsbl – Gesundheitsforsch – Gesundheitsschutz 2007 • 50: 895-901

P. Kamtsiuris, M. Lange, A. Schaffrath Rosario, B.-M. Kurth

The Federal State Module Schleswig-Holstein in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) [pdf]

Abstract

From August 2004 to June 2005, the Robert Koch Institute conducted the fieldwork for the Schleswig-Holstein module of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). The KiGGS study is a nationwide representative survey of the health of children and adolescents aged 0 to 17 years. By increasing the sample size in the age group 11 to 17 years in Schleswig-Holstein, the module study generated information which is representative for this federal state. For this end, further 18 locations in this federal state were included in the module study in addition to the existing 5 study locations in Schleswig-Holstein and a study programme which was slightly reduced compared to the core survey was realised. A total of 1,931 subjects were examined in Schleswig-Holstein: 1,730 in the federal state module and 201 in the core survey. The participation rate was 69.5% in the module study. The percentage of quality-neutral drop-outs was 4.0%. The federal state module was funded by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Health, Family, Youth and Seniors of the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein. The data collected were used for health reporting on a federal state level.

Keywords  Health survey - Children - Adolescents - Schleswig-Holstein - Module

Bundesgesundheitsbl – Gesundheitsforsch – Gesundheitsschutz 2007 • 50: 902-908

G. B. M. Mensink, A. Bauch, C. Vohmann, A. Stahl, J. Six, S. Kohler, J. Fischer, H. Heseker

EsKiMo – the nutrition module in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) [pdf]

Abstract

In a module of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), the dietary behaviour of 6–17-year-olds was assessed from January to December 2006. The study, named EsKiMo (Eating Study as a KiGGS Module), was performed by the Robert Koch Institute together with the division of nutrition and consumer education at the University of Paderborn. It was funded by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Parents of participants younger than 12 years were asked to conduct a 3-day dietary record. Participants of 12 years and older were personally interviewed about their eating behaviour during the last four weeks using DISHES (Dietary Interview Software for Health Examination Studies). In addition, they were asked to fill in the KiGGS food frequency questionnaire a second time. Furthermore, all participants were asked about their socio-demographic background, leisure time activities, supplement use, meals at school, body weight and height. The study will provide up-to-date, representative data on the nutrition of children and adolescents in Germany. The analyses will include the amounts of foods and food groups consumed as well as the nutrient intake. By connecting these nutrition data with other health data from KiGGS, comprehensive analyses of relationships between nutrition and health are possible.

Keywords  Health survey - Children - Adolescents - Nutritional epidemiology - Dietary assessment methods

Contents
Methodology and Conduct of Field Work
Results - Health Behaviour, Development
Results - Physical Health
Results - Mental Health, Use of Medical Services
Module Studies

Last updated: June 2007