Almost a quarter (23 percent) of children over the age of ten from families with low school-leaving qualifications gained weight in the course of the corona pandemic: This is one of the results of a study that asked a good 1,000 families in Germany about their eating habits during the pandemic.
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More fruit and vegetables, less meat – but also more snacks and sweets
With regard to schoolchildren under the age of 14, nine percent gained weight, especially the ten to 12 year olds and especially boys with 24 percent. Results that go hand in hand with this observation: 38 percent less exercise in all children, and especially in those over ten – namely 60 percent. On the other hand, it is astonishing when you look at the other data asked: In all age groups there were 14 percent more vegetables and 20 percent more fruit, but 13 percent less meat:
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That sounds good at first! Possibly a consequence of the fact that more adults than usual work in the home office: They cooked more themselves and replaced canteen and school meals, the researchers speculate. Regardless of the educational status, age of the children, mothers or fathers. But maybe there was just too much of a good thing, not just for the kids. Because even on 27 percent of the parental hips there are more pounds than before the pandemic. Incidentally, not a German phenomenon – in Italy, for example, the direct influence of the pandemic on eating behavior in over 12-year-olds was investigated. Result: 48.6 percent of the 3,533 people surveyed in April 2020 stated a weight gain there.
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The culprits were quickly determined, because there was not only more fruit eaten, but also more “snacks” – 18 percent more pretzel sticks, chips & Co went into the bellies, 20 percent more sweets, 18 percent more sweetened drinks than usual, especially with the children from ten years. The researchers cite increased boredom, more screen time and less exercise as reasons for the increased consumption of unhealthy snacks and drinks, but also psychosocial stress due to fear of work and financial livelihood, as well as the stress that arises when working, childcare and Household managed at the same time.
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Families at risk need help
The researchers warn: More support strategies are needed here, especially for the risk groups, i.e. families with little money and little education. Otherwise it will continue to grow for their children later. The consequences of unhealthy or excessive nutrition coupled with a lack of exercise are known, diabetes and cardiovascular problems. And from other studies we know: if you are overweight as a child, you also have weight problems as an adult.
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