Gewichtsmanagementprogramme für Kinder und Jugendliche während der Covid-19-Pandemie in Deutschland – Was wir daraus lernen können

Zusammenfassung

Ziel dieser Studie war es, zu analysieren, ob und wie Anbieter von Adipositaszentren ihre Programme während des ersten Covid-19-Locksdowns umsetzen oder anpassen konnten und wie dies von den teilnehmenden Familien angenommen wurde. Es wurde ein kombinierter quantitativer und qualitativer Ansatz verwendet. Im Mai 2020 füllten vierzehn von 29 Adipositaszentren in Deutschland Online-Fragebögen aus. Fünfundfünfzig teilnehmende Familien beantworteten einen Familien-Fragebogen. Alle Anbieter nahmen während der Pandemie digitale Anpassungen vor, darunter Beratung per Telefon, E-Mail und Videoanrufen. Trotz der Herausforderungen, insbesondere in Bezug auf die praktische Umsetzung, das Fehlen vertrauter Routinen und der Gruppendynamik, berichteten die Anbieter von positiven Ergebnissen im Hinblick auf die interne Organisation, die Teilnehmenden von positiven Aspekten hinsichtlich Erreichbarkeit und individueller Betreuung. Zwanzig Familien (30, 9%) beobachteten Gewichtsveränderungen bei den teilnehmenden Kindern, darunter 10 mit einer Gewichtszunahme (18,2%; M=5,0±4,0 kg).

Die digitale Anpassung von Gewichtsmanagementprogrammen infolge der Covid-19-Einschränkungen war umsetzbar und wurde insbesondere durch größere zeitliche Flexibilität und verbesserte Zugänglichkeit im Wesentlichen positiv aufgenommen. Trotzdem nahm das Gewicht der Kinder während des Lockdowns zu. Um die Wirksamkeit von Gewichtsmanagementprogrammen zu maximieren, empfiehlt sich langfristig eine Kombination aus herkömmlichen Strategien und der gezielten Nutzung digitaler Elemente, z. B. bei individuellen Beratungen.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze if and how weight management providers implemented or adapted their programs during the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and how this was perceived by the participating families. A combined quantitative and qualitative approach was used. In May 2020, fourteen of 29 weight management providers in Germany completed online questionnaires. Fifty-five participating families responded to a family-level questionnaire. All providers made digital adjustments during the pandemic including counseling via telephone, email and video calls. Despite challenges, especially in terms of practical implementation, a lack of familiar routines and group dynamics, providers reported positive outcomes for internal organization and participants mentioned improved accessibility and individualized attention. Twenty families (30.9%) observed weight changes in the participating children, including 10 reporting weight gain (18.2%; M=5.0±4.0 kg).

The digital implementation of weight management programs as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions was feasible and was mostly viewed positively, particularly due to greater time flexibility and improved accessibility. Nevertheless, children’s weight increased during the lockdown. To maximize the effectiveness of weight management programs, a combination of conventional strategies and the intentional use of digital elements, for example in individual counseling sessions, is recommended in the long term.

Schlüsselwörter

Adipositas - Adipositaszentrum - COVID-19

Key words

Obesity - weight management - COVID-19

Publication History

Article published online:
03 December 2021

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