title: Sporting activity, prevalence of overweight, and risk factors: cross-sectional study of more than 12 500 participants aged 16 to 25 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies show that habits detrimental to health are becoming established ever earlier in life. Because most of these investigations focus on adolescents up to the age of 18 years, it is largely unknown whether and to what extent negative behavioral modifications are intensified in young adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within the cross-sectional study "Fit fürs Leben" (Fit for Life) 12 835 volunteers aged 16 to 25 years were anthropometrically investigated and interviewed about their lifestyle and habits (sporting activity, nutrition and health-related behavior).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data on anthropometric (BMI, waist circumference, body fat) and health-relevant (lack of exercise, smoking) characteristics as well as the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors show a clear increase in unhealthy attributes, particularly among those aged 20 to 25 years. Fifty percent of 25-year-old men are overweight, 60% smoke, and around one third do not participate in sport. Although only one quarter of women aged 16 to 25 years are overweight, women engage in sport much less frequently. Only one quarter of all study participants display none of the investigated cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The health-detrimental tendencies increase considerably after the age of 20. Efficient cross-institutional prevention campaigns are urgently necessary to promote and continually support a health-conscious life-style.
authors: Dieter
authors: D
authors: Leyk
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Rüther
authors: Max
authors: M
authors: Wunderlich
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Heiß
authors: Gerd
authors: G
authors: Küchmeister
authors: Claus
authors: C
authors: Piekarski
authors: Herbert
authors: H
authors: Löllgen