Sociocultural Influence on Obesity and Lifestyle in Children: A Study of Daily Activities, Leisure Time Behavior, Motor Skills, and Weight Status

TLDR

The study investigates how social determinants, migration background, lifestyle factors, and neighborhood characteristics relate to overweight in children aged 6‑14, aiming to inform prevention strategies. Data were gathered through the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study, surveying children and adolescents across various social and environmental variables. Results show a clear social gradient in overweight—lower socioeconomic status and non‑German ethnicity are associated with higher prevalence, independent of lifestyle—while neighborhood factors such as food supply and traffic density further contribute, underscoring that overweight is a social issue requiring targeted prevention.

Abstract

This study aimed at studying the relationships between different social determinants, overweight, migration background, lifestyle factors, and neighborhood characteristics in children and adolescents aged 6-14 years. Data were collected within the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study (KOPS). The lower the social status, the higher the prevalence of overweight (e.g., parental education low/middle/high,%: 18.4/13.6/7.9). Non-German children are twice as often overweight as German children (20.2% versus 11.7%) with a social gradient in overweight (%: 26.0/28.2/17.2). There are social differences in health-related behavior between the social groups and also between German and non-German children of the same social group. The social gradient in overweight is, in part, independent of lifestyle factors. Neighborhood characteristics like high food supply and traffic density add to the development of overweight. To summarize, overweight is a social issue; direct prevention has to address the social determinants of health as well as families with migration background. In addition, the development of "healthy" neighborhoods may support the prevention of overweight.