Groningen Expert Center for Kids with Obesity

The overall aim of the GECKO Drenthe cohort is to study the prevalence and early risk factors for the development of childhood overweight and fat distribution at very young age. Within this birth cohort the growth of the children is closely followed, starting at birth until adulthood. The children are followed using questionnaires that the parents have to answer and the regular visits to the Well Baby Clinics, where length, weight, head circumference and hip and waist circumference are measured. Furthermore, physical activity is measured using accelerometers. At birth, cord blood was sampled and stored for (epi)genetic analysis and biomarkers. During the first 9 months of life, the children were measured every month (incl. questionnaire), thereafter this frequency decreased until once every 2 years from 3 years onwards. The children are now 5 years old. As risk factors nutrition, physical activity, biological, epigenetic, social and environmental factors are monitored. The children are followed using questionnaires that the parents have to answer and the regular visits to the Well Baby Clinics, where length, weight, head circumference and hip and waist circumference are measured. Furthermore, physical activity is measured using accelerometers. At birth, cord blood was sampled and stored for (epi)genetic analysis and biomarkers. As risk factors nutrition, physical activity, biological, epigenetic, social and environmental factors are monitored.