India - Vellore Birth Cohort Study 1998-2002

The Vellore Birth Cohort Study began as a study of the children born to a sample of 20,626 women in the town of Vellore and adjoining rural villages between 1969 and 1973. Of the 10,670 babies born to the women in the sample during this time, 4,092 had complete birth and parental measurements collected; these babies were followed monthly for the first three months, and then every three months up to one year of age. Follow-up studies were conducted in childhood (1977-1980) and adolescence (1982-1988), collecting information on the child's physical and mental health.

In 1998-2002, 2,218 members of the original cohort were examined for cardiovascular risk factors, including collection of anthropometric measurements, blood samples for glucose and lipids, and information about tobacco and alcohol use, diet, and physical activity.