Factors associated with self-assessed increase in tobacco consumption among over-indebted individuals in Germany: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Over-indebtedness is an increasing phenomenon in industrialised nations causing individual hardship and societal problems. Nonetheless, few studies have explored smoking among over-indebted individuals.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey (n=949) on retrospectively assessed changes in tobacco consumption was carried out in 2006 and 2007 among clients of 84 officially approved debt and insolvency counselling centres in Germany (response rate 39.

Association between overweight, obesity and self-perceived job insecurity in German employees.

Background: Recent studies have shown an association between job insecurity and morbidity as well as mortality, however until now, knowledge about a potential association between job insecurity and overweight or obesity has been lacking.

Methods: In order to identify a possible association between job insecurity and overweight or obesity, we analysed data from the German Socioeconomic Panel (GSOEP) 2004/2005, a longitudinal study of private households in Germany. In this representative cohort of the German adult population, living and working conditions were observed.

Health risks of separated or divorced over-indebted fathers: separation from children and financial distress.

The study examines over-indebted fathers after separation/divorce with respect to health-related lifestyles/state of health. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among over-indebted persons in Germany 2006/2007 (response rate 39.7%).

Low social support and further risk factors for nicotine abuse in childhood and adolescence in Germany.

The health hazards of tobacco consumption are well known; numerous prevention programs exist, but knowledge of risk factors for starting to smoke is scarce. This study addressed the question if school-related factors influence smoking behavior in 7-17-year-old pupils. A cross-sectional study including 2459 pupils of schools in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, was conducted.

Prevalence of diagnosis and direct treatment costs of back disorders in 644,773 children and youths in Germany.

Background: Many authors have reported about the high prevalence rates of self-reported back pain in children. Nevertheless, little is known about the diagnosis of back disorders--regardless of whether the diagnosis is associated with back pain or not. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence rates and costs of diagnosis of back disorders in childhood and youth.

Over-indebtedness and its association with the prevalence of back pain.

Background: Over-indebtedness is an increasing phenomenon worldwide. Massive financial strain, as found in over-indebted persons, might influence the occurrence of back pain. In this explorative study we examined the prevalence of back pain in over-indebted persons in Germany for the first time ever and compared it to the prevalence of back pain in the German general population.