This study was an update and amplification of exposure measurements of the EPIC-Potsdam Study, which started in 1994-1998.
The sub-study was conducted in the German Institute of Human Nutrition according to an approved study protocol. The study program included comprehensive surveys on diet and lifestyle (smoking, physical activity, and anthropometry). The aim was to achieve repeated measurements in a sub-cohort of about 600 people to validate (measurement error correction) and calibrate (adjustment of insufficient data collected to the actual data location) existing baseline data in the entire cohort (EPIC-Potsdam cohort). To this end, within age groups and by gender, active EPIC participants were then randomly selected in the years 2009 to 2012 from the cohort, contacted and invited to re-visit the respective study center. 816 subjects were acquired for re-examination, participation rate was 56.4%. Each participant gave informed consent. The study protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Association of the State of Brandenburg, Cottbus, on 18/12/2009. The information in this section are study hypothesis and contains no results or conclusions.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
816
Improved and more detailed assessment of food intake
Repeated 24 hour dietary recalls. Every participant provided up to three (mean = 2.99) 24 hour dietary recalls at baseline (cross-sectional analysis). The recalls were performed by trained interviewers using EPIC-Soft program and were collected within a period of 4-24 months (mean = 7). The first recall took place in person during the participants' first visit to the study center. The following two recalls took place on random days over the telephone. Food consumption was recorded in 11 eating occasions (before breakfast, breakfast, after breakfast, during morning, lunch, after lunch, during the afternoon, before dinner, dinner, after dinner, during evening) and was recorded for each food in grams per eating occasion.
Time frame: 4-24 months
Body weight
In kilograms. For the purpose of achieving improved and more detailed assessment of anthropometric measeures
Time frame: Appointment at the study center at beginning of study
Skinfold thickness
In millimeters. For the purpose of achieving improved and more detailed assessment of anthropometric measeures
Time frame: Appointment at the study center at beginning of study
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRT)
The measurements were performed with a 1.5T MRT scanner ("Magnetom Avanto", Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) and the Vibe Dixon sequence. The Vibe-Dixon sequence is a special MRT protocol fornbody fat analysis which separates the fat from tissue water. Fat tissue is displayed brightly, while the remaining tissue appears dark.
Time frame: Within 4 weeks after first visit to the study center
Other anthropometric measures
Height, circumference of hip and waist, depth and width of chest (all in centimeters). For the purpose of achieving improved and more detailed assessment of anthropometric measeures
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Time frame: Appointment at the study center at beginning of study
Physical activity level (PAL)
A heart rate monitor and integrated accelerometer ("Actiheart" CamNtech, Cambridge, UK) was work for a week of everyday life. The Actiheart software calculated physical activity based on the individual calibration models in the form of "Physical Activity Levels", which is the ratio of the total energy expenditure for resting enery expenditure.
Time frame: 1 week
Physical activity questionnaire
Participants also filled in a questionnaire on physical activity (physical activity during the past 12 months and activities in the last 4 weeks).
Time frame: 12 months (retrospective questionnaire)