In the last decades overweight and obesity became a worldwide
problem. Germany is also highly affected by this “global
epidemic”, as about 16 m people are suffering from obesity.
Meanwhile less than half of the German adults show a normal and
healthy bodyweight. More than 20% are obese, showing a Body Mass
Index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and another 40% are overweight (BMI ≥ 25 < 30
kg/m2) . Herewith closely related is the high risk to develop a
multitude of co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus,
cardiovascular diseases and some cancer types. It is alarming
that even amongst children and adolescents overweight occurs
more often. The results of the German Health Interview and
Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS),
undertaken between 2003 and 2006, showed that 15% of all
children and adolescents between 3 and 17 years have overweight,
6,3% are obese.(1) Obesity is considered as a chronic disease,
restraining quality of life as well as leading to multiple
health problems and shortening the life expectancy.