Physical activity and dietary habits of older children and adolescents in Germany – Cross-sectional results of the 2017/18 HBSC study and trends

Abstract

Numerous findings are known to exist between dietary habits, physical activity, and child and adolescent health. Here, we will use data from the most recent Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study to describe dietary habits and patterns of physical activity. Using the survey data for 11-, 13- and 15-year-old students from across Germany, we report findings for key indicators of diet and physical activity for the 2017/18 cycle. By comparing these findings with data from the 2009/10 and 2013/14 survey cycles, we also consider current trends. Results from the most recent cycle show that 10.0% of girls and 16.9% of boys meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) physical activity recommendations. Across all HBSC cycles, this is the lowest figure so far. Concerning dietary habits, 50.6% of girls and 59.0% of boys reported having breakfast every morning. Data for daily fruit, vegetable and soft drink consumption emphasises the need to promote a healthy diet among adolescents. For all indicators of physical activity and diet, differences between girls and boys are apparent. Girls’ intake of fruit and vegetables is higher and they consume fewer soft drinks, yet boys are more physically active and have breakfast more regularly. For the majority of indicators of dietary habits and physical activity, considerable inequalities relating to family affluence are observed. An important implication of the study results for dietary habits and physical activity of older children and adolescents is the need to foster settings-based approaches to promote physical activity and a healthy diet that integrate a gender-sensitive perspective.

Associations between dietary behaviours and the mental and physical well-being of Swedish adolescents

“…Our findings also suggest that addressing the socioeconomic and demographic factors contributing to inequalities in health outcomes associated with dietary behaviours may reduce the risk of overweight/obesity while simultaneously increasing the likelihood of good mental health and well-being. This is because, consistent with previous studies [ 14 , 15 , 17 , 29 , 43 , 47 ] we found that dietary behaviours vary across populations based on age, gender and socioeconomic status. Notably, boys tended to consume breakfast and partake in family meals more frequently than girls but consumed fruits and vegetables less frequently.…”

“…The developmental stage of the study population may explain some of the observed findings. Prior research suggested that changes in dietary behaviours can occur naturally with age [ 43 , 53 ]. As adolescents grow older, breakfast consumption might decline due to competition with their sleeping time, while increasing autonomy from parents is a typical developmental milestone, and this could contribute to fewer family meals [ 43 ].…”

“…It focuses on the frequency of consumption for fruits, vegetables, SSBs, and sweets, without quantifying specific amounts, portion sizes, or calorie intake. Despite this constraint, the questionnaire is widely utilised and has been validated for assessing adolescents’ dietary patterns [ 14 , 32 , 42 , 43 , 45 ]. It is also crucial to highlight that these measures serve as indicators of healthier dietary behaviours and overall diet quality.…”

“…The consumption of fruit and vegetables was then dichotomised into “daily” vs. “not daily”. Previous literature coded SSBs and sweets as daily vs. not daily consumption [ 42 , 43 ]. However, in this current study, these variables were dichotomized and coded as “more than once per week” vs “once per week or less” to reflect Swedish dietary traditions of saturday candy (lördagsgodis) and cosy Fridays (fredagsmys) [ 44 ].…”

Development and reliability testing of an audit toolbox for the assessment of the physical activity friendliness of urban and rural environments in Germany

“…It reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, as well as depressive symptoms and anxiety ( 2 – 7 ). However, physical inactivity is a major public health problem worldwide and also prevalent in all age groups in Germany ( 8 – 11 ).…”