Alarming increase in obesity among primary school students in the Ludwigsburg district!

Alarming increase in obesity among primary school students in the Ludwigsburg district!

The problem of obesity in children is becoming increasingly important, especially at primary school age. A current analysis in the Ludwigsburg district shows that the risk of obesity increases significantly in early childhood. Bietigheimer Zeitung emphasizes that many of those affected try to compensate for their psychological suffering through excessive food intake. At the Hess Rehabilitation Center in Bietigheim-Bissingen, 14 obese young people are currently receiving comprehensive treatment, with psychologists and orthopedists working closely together.

What is particularly urgent is the fact that, according to Dr. Christoph Lukas, chief orthopedist at the center, psychological support plays a key role. Too many obese people have psychological problems that need to be treated. Limited motivation to exercise and long periods of sitting in class represent further hurdles that need to be overcome.

A worrying trend

Thomas Kauth, an expert in child and adolescent medicine, reports a significant increase in obesity among primary school children. The AOK data shows that the weight of many children increases as soon as they start school. The main reason for this is the increased sitting time compared to kindergarten. Kauth has been calling for daily sports lessons in schools for over two decades to counteract this trend.

As part of their efforts to support the promotion of healthy lifestyles, many schools in the Ludwigsburg district have implemented educational concepts that include exercise breaks and nutritional guides. Deputy principal Eva Kohlbach and Doris Engelbrecht from the “Healthy Schools” initiative emphasize that exercise and mental health are of great importance and are trying to counteract the trend towards obesity. However, Kauth says that there are not enough offers for obese children in the district and less than 1% receive adequate therapy.

Weight control measures

The Austrian health platform emphasizes the importance of medical advice in order to evaluate the necessary weight loss. The procedure depends on the degree of overweight. A distinction is made between various therapeutic approaches, including:

• Ernährungstherapie: umfasst die Analyse des Ernährungsverhaltens und die Erstellung von Speiseplänen.
• Bewegungstherapie: fokussiert auf gelenkschonende und altersgerechte Bewegungsmuster.
• Verhaltenstherapie: zielt auf die Änderung ungesunder Verhaltensweisen und die Stärkung des Selbstbewusstseins.
• Programme zum Abnehmen: bieten eine Kombination aus Ernährungs-, Bewegungs- und Verhaltensschulungen sowie psychologischer Unterstützung.

The involvement of parents or caregivers is very important here, as they can create the best conditions for weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. In many cases, excess weight can be “outgrown,” but in some cases, targeted weight loss is essential to prevent health complications.

Conclusion and future prospects

The district office has reacted and set up an information platform on the topic in order to promote better awareness of the problem. Free exercise offers, which are provided in cooperation with partners, are intended to help people develop fun in exercise and support lifestyle changes. The AOK Ludwigsburg also offers qualified nutritional advice in order to achieve a long-term change in diet.

Parents play an essential role in their children's physical activity and eating habits. Active leisure activities and a balanced diet are essential factors that not only promote children's well-being, but also lead to long-term healthy development.