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Background Eating in absence of hunger is quite common and often associated with an increased energy intake co-existent with a poorer food choice. Intuitive eating (IE), i.e., eating in accordance with internal hunger and satiety cues, may protect from overeating. IE, however, requires accurate perception and processing of one’s own bodily signals, also referred to as interoceptive sensitivity. Training interoceptive sensitivity might therefore be an effective method to promote IE and prevent overeating. As most studies on eating behavior are conducted in younger adults and close social relationships influence health-related behavior, this study focuses on middle-aged and older couples. Methods The present pilot randomized intervention study aims at investigating the feasibility and effectiveness of a 21-day mindfulness-based training program designed to increase interoceptive sensitivity. A total of N = 60 couples participating in the NutriAct Family Study, aged 50–80 years, will be recruited. This randomized-controlled intervention study comprises three measurement points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, 4-week follow-up) and a 21-day training that consists of daily mindfulness-based guided audio exercises (e.g., body scan). A three-arm intervention study design is applied to compare two intervention groups (training together as a couple vs. training alone) with a control group (no training). Each measurement point includes the assessment of self-reported and objective indicators of interoceptive sensitivity (primary outcome), self-reported indicators of intuitive and maladaptive eating (secondary outcomes), and additional variables. A training evaluation applying focus group discussions will be conducted to assess participants’ overall acceptance of the training and its feasibility. Discussion By investigating the feasibility and effectiveness of a mindfulness-based training program to increase interoceptive sensitivity, the present study will contribute to a deeper understanding of how to promote healthy eating in older age.

Hintergrund: Etwa jede vierte in Deutschland lebende Person hat nach Definition des Statistischen Bundesamts einen sogenannten Migrationshintergrund (MH), d. h. die Person selbst oder mindestens ein Elternteil wurde ohne die deutsche Staatsangehörigkeit geboren. Allerdings wurde der MH in vielen Studien unterschiedlich definiert. Auch werden durch den MH Personen in unterschiedlichen Lebenslagen zusammengefasst und differenzierte gesundheitswissenschaftliche Analysen sind mit dem MH erschwert. Der Beitrag formuliert Empfehlungen zur Erhebung und Auswertung migrationsbezogener sowie sozialer und struktureller Determinanten der Gesundheit. Erfassung relevanter Gesundheitsdeterminanten: Im Rahmen des Projektes „Improving Health Monitoring in Migrant Populations (IMIRA)“ wurden die bisherigen Ansätze zur Operationalisierung und Messung migrationsbezogener Determinanten auf Grundlage von Literaturrecherchen und Austauschformaten, wie Workshops, Arbeitstreffen, Kongressbeiträgen u. ä. überarbeitet. Anstelle des MH sollten als Mindestindikatoren das Geburtsland der Befragten und deren Eltern, die Aufenthaltsdauer, die Staatsangehörigkeit(en), der Aufenthaltsstatus und Kenntnisse der deutschen Sprache erfasst und als Einzelvariablen analysiert werden. Weitere soziale und strukturelle Determinanten wie der sozioökonomische Status, Wohn- und Arbeitsbedingungen oder selbstberichtete Diskriminierung sollten einbezogen werden. Diskussion: Um gesundheitliche Ungleichheit zu beschreiben und gezielt Bedarfe von Menschen mit Migrationsgeschichte zu identifizieren, ist eine gemeinsame und differenzierte Betrachtung migrationsbezogener und sozialer Determinanten unerlässlich.

Background: According to the definition of the German Federal Statistical Office, about every fourth person living in Germany has a so-called migration background (MB), i.e., the person or at least one of their parents was born without German citizenship. However, MB has been defined differently in many studies. Also, the MB summarises people in different living situations, making differentiated analysis in health science more difficult. This article formulates recommendations for the collection and analysis of migration-related, as well as social and structural, determinants of health. Indicators for capturing relevant determinants of health: As part of the Improving Health Monitoring in Migrant Populations project (IMIRA), the previous approaches to operationalise and measure migration-related determinants were revised based on literature research and exchange formats, such as workshops, meetings, congress contributions, etc. Instead of MB, the country of birth of the respondents and their parents, duration of residence, citizenship(s), residence status, and German language proficiency should be recorded as minimum indicators and analysed as individual variables. Further social and structural determinants, such as socioeconomic position, working and housing conditions, or self-reported discrimination, should be included. Conclusions: In order to describe health inequalities and to specifically identify the needs of people with a history of migration, a mutual and differentiated consideration of migration-related and social determinants of health is essential.