Dietary patterns of young people in Germany as well as their determinants and health implications

(In association with: Robert Koch Institute, Berlin (Dr. Gert Mensink, Almut Richter), Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel (Dr. Silke Thiele), sponsored by DFG)

Not only the consumption of individual foods or intake of individual food components is critical in the context of health effects but also the whole eating habits. Dietary patterns identify certain constellations of food consumption in the population. A comprehensive and representative analysis of such patterns lacks so far for the German youth. The first comprehensive nationally representative information on health and food consumption of adolescents in Germany was obtained within the framework of the Children and Youth (KiGGS) and also of the nutritional study as KiGGS module (EsKiMo). Based on such data defining dietary patterns and their determinants (eg, physical activity, behavior, social status) are identified for the German youth. In addition, the relationship of these patterns is studied for nutrient and health indicators (anthropometric data, blood values, etc.).