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Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPSLeibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS

Living healthier with digital support – Bremen residents aged 55 and over sought for new study

Prevention and Evaluation Press

The Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS is looking for participants for a new European study that supports people aged 55 and over in living healthier lives. The focus is on nutrition, exercise, and social contacts. Digital tools such as smartwatches and apps are designed to help participants maintain a healthy lifestyle in the long term.

“Many people know what is good for them, but everyday life often gets in the way,” says study leader Dr. Sarah Forberger from BIPS. “We want to investigate whether digital support can help people incorporate healthy habits into their everyday lives on a long-term basis.”

The study will start in February and March 2026 and run for twelve to fifteen months. Thirty participants are being sought for each wave of the study. People aged 55 and over who live in Bremen and are interested in improving their lifestyle with scientific support are eligible to participate.

What can participants expect?

They will wear a Garmin smartwatch that measures their physical activity and provides feedback. An app will provide them with suggestions for recipes, healthy meals, and exercise programs. The app can also be used as a food diary to keep track of their eating habits. “We also measure important values on site, such as the proportion of water or muscle mass,” explains Forberger. These examinations will take place at two locations in Bremen, at BIPS in Horn and at the Leibniz Living Lab in Osterholz.

A European project – with participation from Bremen

The study is part of an EU-funded research project in nine countries. Findings from an earlier pilot study are already being incorporated: digital support has been improved, smartwatches have been modernized, and the duration has been extended.

Why participate?

Participants not only receive valuable feedback on their lifestyle, they also meet like-minded people who also want to do something for their health. Participation is free of charge.

Anyone interested can register with BIPS now. The number of places is limited. For further information and to register, please send an email to HW8@leibniz-bips.de or call the following telephone number: 0157 72793691. Further information can also be found via the QR code.

BIPS – Health research in the service of people

The population is at the center of our research. As an epidemiological research institute, we see our task as identifying the causes of health problems and developing new concepts for the prevention of disease. Our research provides a basis for social decisions. It informs the population about health risks and contributes to a healthy living environment.

BIPS is a member of the Leibniz Association, which comprises 96 independent research institutions. The Leibniz Institutes cover a wide range of disciplines, from the natural sciences, engineering, and environmental sciences to economics, spatial sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. Leibniz Institutes are dedicated to socially, economically, and ecologically relevant issues. Due to their national significance, the federal and state governments jointly fund the institutes of the Leibniz Association. The Leibniz Institutes employ around 20,000 people, including 10,000 scientists.