Fast food consumption among 12- to 17-year-olds in Germany - Results of EsKiMo II

Consuming high amounts of fast food can lead to an excessive intake of energy and subsequently promote obesity. Obesity increases a person's risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The second wave of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS Wave 2, 2014-2017) included the Eating study as a KiGGS Module (EsKiMo II, 2015-2017) which assessed the self-reported dietary habits of children and adolescents in Germany. The analysis of the data permits an overview of the fast food consumption of 12- to 17-year-olds (n=1,353). Girls consume 57.5 grams and boys 86.3 grams of fast food per day on average (around 400 grams and 600 grams per week, respectively). Pizza is the most consumed fast food product, followed by filled pita and sausage/meat products such as curry sausage. Adolescent girls on average get 6.5% and boys 7.8% of total daily energy intake from fast food. 23% of 12- to 17-year-olds get at least 10% of their daily energy intake from fast food (high consumers). Significant differences between the proportion of high consumers exist regarding sex, age, socioeconomic status, community size, type of school and media consumption. Compared to EsKiMo I (2006), girls' daily energy intake from fast food has remained nearly constant, whereas that of boys has dropped substantially. From a nutrition physiology perspective, the aim should be to further reduce fast food consumption.

Energy drink consumption among 12- to 17-year-olds in Germany - Results of EsKiMo II

Energy drinks are soft drinks that usually contain a large content of caffeine and sugar. Excessive caffeine intake can lead to side effects such as nausea and anxiety. Up to three milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight per day is considered safe for children and young people. The second Eating study as a KiGGS Module (EsKiMo II, 2015-2017) collected nationwide representative data about children's and adolescents' dietary behaviour. To collect food intake data from 12- to 17-year-olds (n=1,353), a dietary history interview was used. 8.9% of the girls and boys stated that they had consumed energy drinks during the four-week reference period, with nearly a quarter of these individuals (n=99) exceeding the limit of safe caffeine intake solely through their consumption of energy drinks. This corresponds to 2.2% of the 12- to 17-year-olds in Germany. In addition to a general warning about the high levels of sugar present in sugary drinks, awareness also needs to be raised among young people about the dangers of excessive caffeine intake resulting from the consumption of energy drinks. Regulations governing sales and advertising should also be considered.

Consumption of organic food by children in Germany - Results of EsKiMo II

Data from the second Eating study as a KiGGS module (EsKiMo II, 2015-2017), are used to determine the contribution of food produced by organic farming (organic food) to the diet of children aged between six and eleven years (n=1,190) in Germany. Dietary intake was assessed by food records during a total of four days. Information on the proportion of organic food intake relative to daily food intake was used to differentiate between three groups: children who did not consume organic food; children whose diet contains 8.0% or less of organic food; and children whose diet comprises more than 8.0% of organic food. The 8.0% threshold represents the mean proportion of organic food eaten by children whose diet includes any amount of organic produce. In total, 63.2% of children eat organic food. The diet of 43.0% of children contains 8.0% or less of organic food, with the diet of 20.2% comprising more than 8.0% of organic food. Vegetables and fruit are among the most commonly consumed organic products. While consumption frequency of organic food does not differ by sex or age, consumption frequency increases with higher socioeconomic status. The large proportion of children (63.2%) who eat organic food suggests that health, environmental and ethical motives play a role in the food choices made by families with children.