The 1982 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study

Initially, the study focus was on perinatal, infant, and early childhood morbidity and mortality. We were particularly interested in breastfeeding patterns and nutritional status, as well as social and environmental factors. Deaths of cohort members were identified by regular visits to all hospitals, cemeteries, offices of civil registrations, and local health authorities, since 1982.

By mid-childhood, the study shifted in emphasis to child care, utilization of health services, selected morbidity indicators, and child development. A random sub-sample of 360 four-year-olds was selected for an in-depth study of psychomotor development.

In adolescence, issues related to sexual and reproductive behaviours (including teenage pregnancies), habits such as smoking and alcohol drinking, mental health, and education became the focus of the investigation. A sub-study investigated oral health in a random sample of 900 adolescents, and an ethnographic study of 96 cohort members, stratified by sex and socioeconomic status, has included repeated in-depth visits from the age of 15 to 30 years, aimed at understanding the role of adolescent development in influencing high-risk behaviours.

In more recent phases, with cohort members being young adults, the main emphasis has shifted to risk factors for chronic disease (including smoking, diet, physical exercise, and overweight), reproductive history, and mental health.

Last update – 21/06/2017

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries Brazil
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 0 to 4,999
Ages 0 to 9|10 to 19|20 to 39
Brain related measures Cognitive function|Mental health
Funtional rating
Anthropometric Height|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Musculoskeletal|Reproductive|Respiratory
Biological samples Blood
Genotyping Gene screening
Brain imaging
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Income and finances|Informal support|Marital status|Occupation and employment
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names Universidade Federal de Pelotas
Current Sample Sizes 0 to 4,999

age at recruitment 0
last updated
recruitment period 1982
estimated current sample size number value 3701
cohort acronym
start date 1982
pi Professor Fernando Barros, Professor Cesar Victora and Bernardo Lessa Horta
website http://epidemio-ufpel.org.br/site/content/coorte_1982/index.php
contact details Rua Marechal Deodoro, 1160 – 3ﾰ Piso
Bairro Centro – Pelotas, RS
Cep: 96020-220 – Caixa Postal 464
abstract  The 1982 Pelotas birth cohort study has evolved since conception in 1982. In the latest phase it is focused on risk factors for chronic diseases, reproductive history and mental health.
funders  World Health Organization (WHO)
Wellcome Trust
Brazilian Research Council (CNPq)
contact email [email protected]
contact phone number 55 (53) 3284 – 1300
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes 5914