Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz最新文献

Food supplements serve to provide people with additional nutrients, primarily vitamins and minerals. Currently, numerous food supplements are coming onto the market that do not comply with legal requirements and are advertised with unsubstantiated health claims. Since the Food Supplements Regulation (NemV) came into force in 2004, the Landeslabor Schleswig-Holstein has been responsible for testing and assessing food supplements and acts as a competence centre within the North German Cooperation.This article summarises the organisation of food supplement monitoring using Schleswig-Holstein as an example and then discusses the legal requirements. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to set maximum quantities and on the regulation of botanicals. The distinction between medicinal products and novel foods is also explained. Finally, the article takes a closer look at unauthorised health claims on products for advertising purposes.In practice, despite existing legal requirements, there is a need for further regulation. Legal disputes could be avoided if distributors of food supplements consistently complied with the legal requirements that serve to protect consumers from health risks.

Introduction: The German healthcare system is characterised by the parallelism of private health insurance (PKV) and statutory health insurance (GKV). This constellation of two full insurance systems with simultaneous mandatory health insurance is unique worldwide. This study aims to gain new scientific findings on health inequalities.

Method: The secondary data analysis of the representative 2021 and 2022 microcensus survey (including the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions) uses correlation and regression analyses.

Results: Comparative analyses reveal significant differences in socio-demographic characteristics and employment history between PKV and GKV and verify health inequalities between the two groups. Considering socio-demographic factors, logistic regression analyses show that the probability of very good or good self-rated health is twice as high for those with PKV compared to those with GKV (OR = 2.09). The likelihood of health impairments (OR = 0.53) and chronic diseases (OR = 0.64) is reduced by almost half. Despite having similar subjective needs for healthcare, those with PKV consulted medical specialists and dentists more frequently, while those with GKV consulted family doctors or general practitioners more frequently. People with PKV displayed healthier behaviours than those with GKV with regard to tobacco consumption, exercise and diet. However, they consumed more alcohol. People with GKV were more likely than those with PKV to report health expenditure and out-of-pocket payments as a "major burden", especially for dental care (10.0% vs. 4.1%).

Discussion: The results have implications for the design of healthcare systems and are relevant for prevention and health reporting.

An optimal supply of micronutrients is particularly important for infants, children and adolescents and is ensured by an age-appropriate, balanced and varied diet. Data on the nutrient intake of these age groups is provided by nationwide nutrition surveys such as the "Children's Nutrition Survey to Record Food Consumption" (KiESEL) and the "Eating Study as a KiGGS Module" (EsKiMo II). These studies show that a considerable proportion of children and adolescents in Germany do not have an adequate supply of important micronutrients such as calcium, iron, iodine and vitamin D. Although dietary supplements are frequently used, they are only useful in the case of a proven deficiency and should only be taken after consulting a physician in order to avoid overdosing. Supplementation of individual nutrients (fluoride, vitamin D, vitamin K) is regularly recommended during well-child visits in infancy and early childhood. Targeted supplementation may also be necessary for certain chronic diseases or special diets. Intensified public health measures such as the promotion of healthy food in daycare centres and schools are necessary in order to improve the supply of important micronutrients. In addition, a continuous nutrition monitoring in children and adolescents-as is currently being established at the Max Rubner-Institut-is essential to detect changes in the nutrient intake and to counteract deficiencies in a targeted manner.

This narrative review provides a literature-based overview of micronutrient requirements in sports and exercise. It takes into account potentially increased requirements, increased losses and the effects of micronutrient deficiencies on health and performance.Athletes with a diet that meets their energy requirements are generally adequately supplied with micronutrients, but unfavourable diets combined with increased losses, for example through sweat, can lead to micronutrient deficiencies. Risks of deficiencies exist primarily in cases of restrictive energy intake, an unbalanced diet and high training loads. Depending on individual diet and training load, critical nutrients for athletes may include the minerals iron, sodium, zinc and calcium as well as vitamin D.The diagnosis of a micronutrient deficiency should be laboratory-based. A balanced diet that meets energy requirements with nutrient-preserving storage and preparation methods based on the food-first principle (i.e. food intake that meets requirements should be prioritised over dietary supplements) is the most important measure for ensuring that athletes receive the micronutrients they need.

Background: In recent years, food supplements such as vitamin or mineral preparations have gained great popularity. This is also evident on social media where influencers in particular disseminate information about or advertise food supplements. This way, consumers may get a one-sided impression of food supplements. As the intake of food supplements is associated with specific health risks and benefits, target group-specific education is necessary. The foundation for this is knowledge of perceptions and use of food supplements in the population.

Methods: A representative (for age, gender, education and federal state) online survey (n = 1071) was conducted in September 2024 to investigate usage behaviour, intake motivation, and perceptions with regard to food supplements in Germany.

Results: Of the respondents, 76.6% reported having taken food supplements during the past year, particularly specific micronutrients such as magnesium or vitamin D. The main reasons for their usage were health-related. In addition, 14.3% of consumers considered food supplements as food in accordance with the legal definition. There were differences in usage behaviour, intake motivation and perception of food supplements depending on whether or not respondents had perceived information about food supplements on social media. Persons who had received information about food supplements on social media took a greater number of different substances, were more likely to take food supplements at least once a week and rated their benefit higher.

Discussion: The findings reveal both implications for health and risk communication and the need for further research.

Aging is a biological and degenerative process with numerous changes in molecular and cellular mechanisms in various organ systems. These changes result in a progressive loss of anatomical structures and physiological functions. Among others, they occur in the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, muscles, bones, respiratory tract, immune system, endocrine systems, and the brain. The alterations in aging can lead to diseases such as coronary heart disease, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. To delay these age-related alterations and thus prevent diseases, a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet is important. An adequate diet includes the sufficient intake of micronutrients. This article first provides an overview of physiological characteristics of aging and then addresses the supply of micronutrients in old age.In older age, the supply of vitamin D, vitamin B12, magnesium, iron, folate, and calcium may be critical. These micronutrients play a role in the immune system, bone metabolism, cell metabolism, energy production, and many other metabolic processes. Micronutrient deficiencies can enhance the aging process. Healthy older people should use the German Nutrition Society (DGE) reference values to meet their daily micronutrient needs. Older people with illnesses should follow the reference values of the guidelines for their specific illnesses to cover their micronutrient needs.

Spatial analyses of health-related data require a sound knowledge of spatial data and specific methods. The selection and appropriate use of suitable data and methodological procedures depends on the content and methodological questions as well as the objectives of the underlying scientific study. General and specific scientific standards known as "best practices" help with the concrete planning, preparation, implementation, data analysis, and interpretation of results of scientific studies. This article first defines and characterizes spatial data and highlights typical questions and methodological challenges. An overview of best practices in this area is provided. Good epidemiological practice, good cartographic practice in healthcare, and good accessibility analysis practices, which are presented in this article, are suitable for spatial analyses. They offer scientists a helpful framework for orientation, from which, however, justified deviations are possible.

Background: The prevalence of mental disorders in Germany is associated with socioeconomic position. International studies further indicate area-level correlations linking higher levels of socioeconomic deprivation with increased mental health burdens. However, these area-level associations have not yet been systematically examined in Germany and it is unclear whether socioeconomic disparities in mental health outcomes are contingent upon area-level socioeconomic deprivation.

Methods: Representative data from the German Health Update survey (GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS) (N = 21,876) are used to estimate and visualize depressive symptoms prevalence (Patient Health Questionnaire- 8 ≥ 10) via small-area estimation. Prevalence rates are analyzed stratified by socioeconomic position (education and income) and by the degree of area-level socioeconomic deprivation in the residential municipalities. Multiple logistic multilevel regression models are employed to adjust for confounding.

Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms does not exhibit a systematic geographical distribution across German districts. However, risk of depression is significantly higher in highly (Odds Ratio = 3.29) and moderately (Odds Ratio = 1.86) socioeconomically deprived municipalities compared to low-deprivation municipalities. Additionally, there are clear educational and income disparities to the detriment of individuals with a lower socioeconomic position. These differences are more pronounced in highly deprived regions.

Conclusion: Area-level socioeconomic deprivation is a key risk factor for compromised mental health in Germany. Individuals with lower education and income in deprived areas are particularly vulnerable, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and policies.

The concept of therapeutic landscapes has proven itself empirically in recent decades as an analytical framework for better understanding the significance of specific places and landscapes for health and health-related well-being. It is based on the fundamental assumption that a specific set of ecological, social and cultural characteristics of spatial settings has a measurable effect on health. As a theory, it offers the possibility of providing a conceptual order for the empirical complexity of the phenomenal world. The background in terms of the history of ideas includes salutogenesis, health promotion, the cultural turn and the spatial turn. Approaches to explaining the development of therapeutic landscapes are based on the actor-network theory (ANT) and the concept of mentalising, based on the "theory of mind". While the focus was initially on extraordinary places and healing effects, it is now more about everyday places and diverse health-relevant effects.