[Use of vitamin and mineral supplements in Germany].

Recent regulations on supplement use in Europe address the necessity to include information on dietary intake to derive maximum amounts for vitamins and minerals in food supplements. Therefore, information about supplement use in Germany, as well as data on micronutrient intake (from supplements and traditional foods), in particular of persons who use several supplements, is examined in detail. As part of the representative German National Health Interview and Examination Study 1998, in the Nutrition Survey 4030 persons, aged 18-79 years, were asked about their dietary habits, including vitamin and mineral supplement use, in a personal computer-aided interview.

[Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) preparations in Germany].

Self-medication with OTC drugs is attracting attention in developed countries. This study examines prevalence and determinants of OTC drug use in a representative sample of German adults aged 18-79 years. A total of 7099 participants of the Drug Utilisation Survey were interviewed regarding drug use including OTC use within the last 7 days prior to the interview.

Food and nutrient intake in East and West Germany, 8 years after the reunification--The German Nutrition Survey 1998.

Objective: To explore differences in food and nutrient intake as well as cardiovascular risk factors between the eastern and western parts of Germany in 1998 and to compare food consumption information between 1991 and 1998.

Design And Subjects: In all, 4030 people, aged 18-79 y, sampled from the East and West parts of Germany participated in the German Nutrition Survey (1998) by completing dietary histories and being assessed for cardiovascular risk factors. In a separate analysis, two food frequency data sets were compared from National Health Surveys conducted in 1991 (n = 7466) and in 1998 (n = 4556).

Physical activity and postmenopausal health.

Physical activity leads to a 30-50 % reduction in cardiovascular disease in women. Moderate activities such as walking, gardening or light sports appear to have beneficial effects. Additional exercise training may enhance these effects.