Applied Health Intervention Research Unit

The interdisciplinary Applied Intervention Research Unit is concerned with the development, implementation, evaluation and dissemination of interventions for health promotion and prevention of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors.

The aim of the research unit is to develop, evaluate and implement innovative and evidence-based interventions for health promotion and prevention of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors in order to contribute to the evidence-based prevention research of the BIPS.
The research of the unit focusses mainly on the following topics:

  • Physical activity and fitness
  • Diet
  • Mental health.
     

The target groups often concern children, young people, older adults and stakeholders. A specific focus is set on complex public health interventions and settings-based approaches to improving population health, including digital interventions. The group uses quantitative and qualitative methodologies and also conducts reviews with the aim of strengthening the evidence base of public health interventions. Participatory, approaches are becoming increasingly important in the research unit.

The qualifications within the research unit are diverse (public health, health sciences, psychology, sports sciences, geography, nutritional sciences) and the close cooperation with other departments at BIPS enables research projects to be conducted with interdisciplinary expertise. There is also close cooperation in the field of physical activity with the interdepartmental working group PAR.

It is of importance for the research unit that the research can be of direct, practical benefit to the population. In addition to science communication, the research unit has a long-standing tradition in the development and implementation of concepts with a focus on nutrition and health. Members of the research unit provide advice to institutions nationally, particularly day-care centers, on questions of nutrition and hygiene. In this context, consultations, trainings and seminars (internal, external) are offered as well as various information materials have been prepared.

Selected Publications

    Articles with peer review

  • Szinay D, Forbes CC, Busse H, DeSmet A, Smit ES, König LM. Is the uptake, engagement, and effectiveness of exclusively mobile interventions for the promotion of weight-related behaviors equal for all? A systematic review. Obesity Reviews. 2023;24(3):e13542.
    https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13542
  • Zeeb H, Brandes M, Bauer U, Forberger S, Gelius P, Müllmann S, Okan O, Pfeifer K, Renner B, Wright M. Perspektivpapier "Zukunft Präventionsforschung": Koordinierte Forschung zu Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung - Aktuell und in der Zukunft. Das Gesundheitswesen. 2023;85(4):388-394.
    https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1816-3398
  • De Santis KK, Jahnel T, Matthias K, Mergenthal L, Al Khayyal H, Zeeb H. Evaluation of digital interventions for physical activity promotion: Scoping review. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance. 2022;8(5):e37820.
    https://doi.org/10.2196/37820
  • Brandes B, Busse H, Sell L, Christianson L, Brandes M. A scoping review on characteristics of school-based interventions to promote physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness among 6- to 10-year-old children. Preventive Medicine. 2022;155:106920.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106920
    https://repository.publisso.de/resource/frl:6431668
  • Busse H, Buck C, Stock C, Zeeb H, Pischke CR, Matos Fialho PM, Wendt C, Helmer S. Engagement in health risk behaviours before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in German university students: Results of a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(4):1410.
    https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041410
  • Saleem M, Kühne L, De Santis KK, Christianson L, Brand T, Busse H. Understanding engagement strategies in digital interventions for mental health promotion: Scoping review. JMIR Mental Health. 2021;8(12):e30000.
    https://doi.org/10.2196/30000
  • Wichmann F, Brandes M, Jahn I, Müllmann S, Peters M, Pischke CR, Zeeb H. DEVASYS - Entwicklung eines Online-Tools zur Unterstützung der systematischen Evaluation von Interventionsprojekten der Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung. Das Gesundheitswesen. 2020;82(12):1010-1017.
    https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1005-6755
    https://repository.publisso.de/resource/frl%3A6421488
  • Wichmann F, Pischke CR, Jürgens D, Darmann-Finck I, Koppelin F, Lippke S, Pauls A, Peters M, Voelcker-Rehage C, Müllmann S. Requirements for (web-based) physical activity interventions targeting adults above the age of 65 years - Qualitative results regarding acceptance and needs of participants and non-participants. BMC Public Health. 2020;20:907.
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08927-8
  • Steenbock B, Wright MN, Wirsik N, Brandes M. Accelerometry-based prediction of energy expenditure in preschoolers. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour. 2019;2(2):94-102.
    https://doi.org/10.1123/jmpb.2018-0032
    https://repository.publisso.de/resource/frl%3A6426272
  • Steenbock B, Buck C, Zeeb H, Rach S, Pischke CR. Impact of the intervention program "JolinchenKids - Fit and Healthy in Daycare" on energy balance related-behaviors: Results of a cluster controlled trial. BMC Pediatrics. 2019;19:432.
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-019-1817-8
  • Müllmann S, Buck C, Voelcker-Rehage C, Bragina I, Lippke S, Meyer J, Peters M, Pischke CR. Effects of two web-based interventions promoting physical activity among older adults compared to a delayed intervention control group in Northwestern Germany: Results of the PROMOTE community-based intervention trial. Preventive Medicine Reports. 2019;15:100958.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2019.100958
  • Brandes M, Steenbock B, Wirsik N. Energy cost of common physical activities in preschoolers. Journal of Physical Activity & Health. 2018;15(4):233-238.
    https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2017-0348
    https://repository.publisso.de/resource/frl%3A6431692
  • Editorials

  • Busse H, Samkange-Zeeb F, Moore G. Editorial: Socioeconomic status and health in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Frontiers in Public Health. 2022;10:1042331.
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1042331

Current Projects

Only currently running projects or those where publications are still in preparation or those that ended less than a year ago will be shown. The entries are sorted alphabetically.

Staff

Atens-Kahlenberg, Wiebke von
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56910
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941
atens(at)leibniz-bips.de

Brandes, Mirko, PD Dr.
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56905
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941
brandes(at)leibniz-bips.de

Bücking, Brigitte
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56909
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941
buecking(at)leibniz-bips.de

Busse, Heide, Dr.
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56912
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941
busse(at)leibniz-bips.de

De Santis, Karina Karolina, Dr.
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56908
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941
desantis(at)leibniz-bips.de

Gill, Sehajpreet
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56903
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941
gill(at)leibniz-bips.de

Meuer, Janina
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56916
meuer(at)leibniz-bips.de

Sell, Louisa
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56787
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941
sell(at)leibniz-bips.de

Soltani, Nazli
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56786
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941
soltani(at)leibniz-bips.de

Wijekoon Mudiyanselage, Kalpani W.
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56916
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56916
wijekoon(at)leibniz-bips.de

Mirko Brandes
Interims Head of Unit

Contact:
PD Dr. rer. medic Mirko Brandes
Tel: +49 (0)421 218-56905
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941

Email:
brandes(at)leibniz-bips.de