Representative studies like the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (16) demonstrate that a migration background as well as a lower parental educational level are key factors in the risk of becoming obese. In particular, young girls with migration backgrounds are a challenge for therapists. Research conducted at the Obesity Outpatient Clinic of the Center for Social Pediatries of the Charité - Universitä tsmedizin has analyzed the differences in the obesity treatment of German families and families of Turkish descent while including gender-specific differences. Data for 612 patients who had their first examination between January 2003 and October 2008 was assessed with SPSS with regard to differences in their ethnic backgrounds. The findings revealed a significantly higher rate of extreme obesity in children and youth of Turkish descent (BMI-SDS >2.5). Additional significant differences were found when migration background was researched in correlation with gender: While German boys participating in the study were divided into 46.1% classified as obese and 53.9% as extremely obese, the group of Turkish boys participating were divided as follows: 34.3% classified as obese and 65.7% as extremely obese (p=0.05). Even more significant were the differences among girls participating in the study (p=0.01): The ratio in German girls was 42.1% who were classified as obese and 57.9% as extremely obese. In contrast, 28.6% of the Turkish girls were classified as obese and 71.4% as extremely obese. Our findings are not alone in demonstrating that families with a Turkish migration background, concurrent with a lower educational background among the parents, require a special care concept. A multitude of research studies show that girls with migration backgrounds rarely participate in sports clubs, that their desire to engage in leisure and sports activities is very low, and there is a tendency to associate exclusively with others sharing their ethnic background. In obesity treatment, they require a trusted environment and culturally sensitive support services.

Obesity in childhood and adolescence Girls Migrants

male sex difference female major clinical study leisure family functioning Turk (people) Article childhood obesity sport human migration