Doetinchem Cohort Study round 8

The development of health problems while ageing is the result of the lifelong
influence of genetics, lifestyle, biological
risk factors and the environment. In order to study the influence of lifestyle
and other characteristics during the different stages of life,
representative·long-term cohort studies are needed with measurements aimed at
the broad range of public health: lifestyle (such as nutrition, physical
activity, smoking) , risk factors (such as overweight, hypertension,
cholesterol), chronic conditions and quality of life. The Doetinchem Cohort
Study is an example of such a cohort.

The general objective of this study protocol is to add another follow-up
measurement, round 8, to the Doetinchem cohort study, 6 years after round 7,
and 36 years after round 1 This contributes to an infrastructure of data to
tackle research questions on the changes over the life course in life style,
health and disease and the relations between them

The Doetinchem Cohort Study has been carried out for 35 years: data collection
in a random sample of men and women (residents of Doetinchem) originally
between 20-59 years. The study began in 1987-1991 and every 5 years
participants are examined. It takes 5 years to examine all participants, so it
is carried out at a continuous basis. The seventh round of data collection will
be completed this year (2023). After that, the data collection is continued
with a 8th round in the years 2024-2028, with the population being 55-95 years.
In round 8, for the sample will be replenished with a new random sample of men
and women aged 40-60 years of age. Throughout the measurement rounds, the
willingness of the participants to be re-examined is high with a 75-80%
response.

Of the participants (of whom most have already participated in the study
several times) who did not want to quit, the following is asked: return a
response card for participation, to make an appointment for the physical exam,
fill in various questionnaires, come to the GGD location for a physical
examination of approximately 2 hours consisting of: measurements of height,
weight, body circumferences, cognitive function, blood pressure (arm and
ankle), AGES in the skin, physical function (muscle strength, balance and chair
test, usual gait speed) blood and urine for various determinations (including
cholesterol and glucose) and storage for future scientific research. In
addition participants are asked to wear an accelerometer for a week.