Witten study: why are migrant children overweight more often?

Two thirds of German men (67 percent) and around half of women (53 percent) are overweight. Almost every fourth adult is even overweight, i.e. obese. A common disease, as doctors warn. In a study, the Obesity Center of the Marien-Hospital Witten deals with the question of risk factors and looks particularly at social aspects.

Reason for the study of the team around Prof. Dr. Metin Senkal and Dr. Dr. Pia Jäger found that underprivileged social classes are often affected. A BMI (body mass index) of 30 or more is said to be associated with obesity. For comparison: the BMI of a normal person is between 18.5 and 24.9. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 2.8 million people worldwide die every year from the consequences of extreme overweight. The risk of complications – such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver or atherosclerosis – is a health hazard for obese people.

Medical professionals: Level of education and household income have an impact on weight

Research by the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin shows that people with a migration background are above average in this risk group. Among the reasons for the current work of the medical team in Witten were findings from school aptitude tests in Germany. These indicate that especially children with a migration background are overweight. This relationship is now to be examined scientifically. It should also be determined whether a low salary and a few years of education affect the treatment of those affected and the success of the therapy.