Metabolism, nutrition, and the immune system - a study in the Augsburg area (MEIA)

Nutrition can affect our health not only positively, but also adversely, i.e., it can inhibit or promote the development of chronic diseases such as heart attack or diabetes. Nutrition is a basic human need. How we eat is influenced by many internal and external factors such as hunger and satiety, but also by social and psychological factors. Food not only covers the requirements of nutrients to maintain bodily functions, but is also often supplied in too large a quantity or in an unbalanced distribution. Diet, physical activity, and genetic factors are considered to be the main contributors to the increasing number of people who are overweight. There is currently no up-to-date information on the dietary habits and diet-related health aspects of the adult population in Bavaria. “Was Isst Bayern?” (What Does Bavaria Eat?) - the 3rd Bavarian Nutrition Survey - will close this knowledge gap.

As part of 3rd Bavarian Nutrition Survey, the MEIA study in the Augsburg study area is also examining the influence of nutrition on metabolism and the immune system, focusing on obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic diseases. Additionally, susceptibility to infections and the influence of nutrition, lifestyle, environmental factors, and medication on the susceptibility to infections will be examined. In order to analyze this interaction between nutrition, environment, the immune system, and metabolism, participants in MEIA are offered an extensive examination program, including the collection of biosamples. In addition to assessing the current nutritional behavior and state of health of the population in the Augsburg study area, MEIA is also intended to form the basis for a longer-term investigation of these aspects, by allowing participants to be repeatedly evaluated in later studies. This will also enable the examination of effects of possible measures in the population.