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The Hekinan Children's Study: Design and Profile of Participants at Baseline
Chisato Nagata1, Keiko Wada1, Yukari Sahashi1
1Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine.
Insights
This study tracks children's health from elementary school to identify early life factors influencing chronic disease risks. Findings will reveal key determinants of cardiometabolic and cancer risk factors in childhood.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Early life environment significantly impacts later-life disease susceptibility.
- Understanding these early influences is crucial for preventative health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate associations between lifestyle, environment, and chronic disease risk factors in school children.
- To identify determinants of cardiometabolic and cancer risk factors during childhood.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study initiated in 2011 involving elementary school children.
- Baseline data collected via questionnaires on demographics, medical history, lifestyle, and behavior.
- Planned follow-up surveys and blood sample analysis for cardiometabolic markers.
Main Results:
- 3,141 first-year elementary students participated (87.4% response rate).
- Average age was 6.99 years; average BMI was 15.3 kg/m².
- Study included 1,639 boys and 1,428 girls from Hekinan City, Japan.
Conclusions:
- This cohort study is poised to reveal critical determinants of childhood cardiometabolic and cancer risk factors.
- Longitudinal data will provide insights into disease prevention from early life.
Background:
The early life environment is now recognized as a key factor contributing to susceptibility to certain diseases in later life.
Methods:
We initiated a cohort study among school children in 2011 to primarily investigate the associations between lifestyle and environmental factors and some surrogate markers of chronic diseases, such as cardiometabolic risk factors (ie, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, insulin, or lipids) and cancer risk factors (ie, height and age at menarche). A baseline questionnaire asked for information, including demographic variables, medical history and use of medication, dietary habits, physical activity, sleep habits, and behavioral and emotional problems of children. Follow-up surveys are planned for the fourth grade of elementary school and the first grade of junior high school. At these follow-up surveys, fasting blood samples will be obtained to measure cardiometabolic markers. We also checked the validity of a food frequency questionnaire, which was originally created for 6-year-olds but was modified for use in older children.
Results:
A total of 3,141 first-year students at elementary schools in Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture, participated in the study. The response rate was 87.4%. The means of age and body mass index were 6.99 (standard deviation, 0.28) years and 15.3 (standard deviation, 1.7) kg/m2, respectively, in the 3,067 Japanese children (1,639 boys and 1,428 girls).
Conclusions:
This cohort will reveal determinants of cardiometabolic risk factors and cancer risk factors during childhood.
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