IntroductionThe current coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has placed unprecedented restrictions on people’s lives and routines. To counteract the exponential spread of this virus, a lockdown was implemented in Germany in March 2020. Infected persons and their contacts were also quarantined. Compliance with quarantine measures is essential for containing the spread of the virus and avoiding incalculable consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, prolonged homestays, particularly quarantining, may lead to fear, panic, anxiety and depression. Hence, determining the psychological response in people during quarantine and their coping strategies is relevant for the counselling and support of affected persons by healthcare workers.Methods and analysisThe CoCo-Fakt-Survey (Cologne-Corona-Beratung und Unterstützung Für Index- und KontAKt-Personen während der Quarantäne-ZeiT; Cologne-Corona counselling and support for index and contacts during the quarantine period—author’s translation) will examine a cohort of persons in Cologne quarantined since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak during March 2020. The questionnaire will include demographic data, transmission route, health status, knowledge of and adherence to quarantine measurements, psychological impact on individuals and their family members including children, mental health status, and lifestyle (physical activity/sedentary behaviour, relaxation techniques, nutrition, smoking). All Cologne residents who needed to be quarantined due to a coronavirus infection and the individuals with whom they had contact will be surveyed.Ethics and disseminationNo risks have been identified and no complications are expected. Ethics approval was obtained from the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen Human Ethics Research Committee (351/20), and the research will be conducted in accordance with the approved protocol. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and social medicine conferences.

Introduction: Public health measures enacted to reduce COVID-19 transmission have affected individuals’ lifestyles, mental health and psychological well-being. To date, little is known how stay-at-home orders have influenced the eating behaviors, weight development, and alcohol consumption of quarantined persons. The CoCo-Fakt cohort study analyzed these parameters and their association with psychological distress and coping strategies. Methods: An online survey was conducted of all persons who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (infected persons = IP) between December 12, 2020, and January 6, 2021, as well as their close contacts (contact persons = CP) registered by the public health department of Cologne. 8,075 of 33,699 individuals were included in the analysis. In addition to demographic data, psychological distress, and coping strategies, information on changes in body weight, eating and drinking behaviors was collected. Results: IP lost 1.2 ± 4.4 kg during the quarantine period, and CP gained 1.6 ± 4.1 kg. The reasons given by IP for weight change were mainly loss of taste and feeling sick, whereas CP were more likely than IP to eat out of boredom. Higher psychological burden and lower coping strategies were associated with both weight gain and loss. Of the 30.8% of participants who changed their alcohol consumption during the quarantine period, CP in particular drank more alcohol (IP 15.2%; CP 47.7%). Significantly less alcohol was consumed by individuals with higher coping scores. Conclusion: In this short but psychologically stressful period of stay-at-home orders, changes in eating and drinking behavior as well as weight development are evident; mainly in high-risk contacts. To avoid possible long-term sequelae, health authorities should take these findings into account during the quarantine period; in particular, general practitioners should consider these findings during follow-up.

ZusammenfassungZiel 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.

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Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the inhibitory and promotive factors of psychosocial health in the context of childhood obesity, incorporating physical fitness as an additional, potentially relevant predictor. Methods: The sample comprised cross-sectional data of 241 children and adolescents with obesity and overweight from the German Children’s Health InterventionaL TriaL III program (12.5 ± 2.1 years; 51.9% girls). Demographics and lifestyle patterns were assessed via parent reports. Anthropometric data and physical fitness in relation to body weight (W/kg) were measured. Children and adolescents completed standardized questionnaires (GW-LQ-KJ, FSK-K) to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and five dimensions of self-concept (scholastic, social, physical, behavioral, and self-worth). Results: Multiple linear regression analysis showed that HRQOL was significantly related to relative physical fitness (W/kg; β = 0.216, p = 0.011) as were scholastic (β = 0.228, p = 0.008) and social self-concept (β = 0.197, p = 0.023). Increasing body mass index (BMI) Z-scores, age, physical activity (hours/day), low parental educational levels, and/or migration background were negatively associated with three subdomains of self-concept (physical, behavioral, self-worth; all p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results emphasize BMI Z-scores, age, physical activity, migration background, and parents’ educational level as relevant predictors of psychosocial health in the context of childhood obesity. Additionally, this study adds physical fitness as a key determinant of HRQOL and self-concept. To enable the development of more effective weight management, therapeutic strategies should therefore consider addressing these aspects and improving physical fitness in particular not only for weight loss but also to strengthen psychosocial health.