The Doetinchem Cohort Study

For 30 years (since 1987) tracks the health of a group of randomly selected adult Dutch inhabitants of Doetinchem from originally between 20-60 years. This provides a wealth of information of four generations: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-60 year olds. The name of this study is the Doetinchem Cohort Study. Every five years the health and habits of the participants are examined at the local health department.

The purpose of the Doetinchem Cohort Study is to give insight into trends in lifestyle and health. So there will be more and more knowledge about why some people age without many problems, while others have health problems at an early age. The study collects data on:

• Lifestyle habits: exercise, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption;
• Biological factors: blood pressure, cholesterol, (over) weight;
• Several specific diseases: cardiovascular disease, asthma, COPD , diabetes, cancer, migraine, musculoskeletal;
• Quality of life: cognitive functioning, social participation, psychosocial aspects of health.

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries Netherlands
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes
Ages 20 to 39|40 to 59|60 to 100
Brain related measures Cognitive function|Mental health|Neurological
Funtional rating Individual physiological|Individual psychological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Hip circumference|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Hearing and Vision|Musculoskeletal|Reproductive|Respiratory
Biological samples Blood|Urine
Genotyping Gene screening
Brain imaging
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Family circumstances|Informal support|Marital status|Occupation and employment|Unpaid care
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
Current Sample Sizes

age at recruitment 20-60
last updated
recruitment period 1987-1991
estimated current sample size number value 4000
cohort acronym
start date 1987-1991
pi Dr W.M.M. Verschuren
website http://www.rivm.nl/Onderwerpen/D/Doetinchem_Cohort_Studie
contact details
abstract  The purpose of the Doetinchem Cohort Study is to give insight into trends in lifestyle and health. For 30 years beginning in 1987, 7,800 participants aged between 20 and 60 have been studied.
funders  National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
contact email Email: [email protected] PI Email: [email protected] Project Leader Dr H.S.J Pcavet; [email protected]
contact phone number Tel: +31 (0)301749111
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes 7800