South Asian Birth Cohort
The START study aims to understand the environmental and genetic determinants of adiposity and related metabolic abnormalities among South Asians living in India and Canada.
The main objectives of the START study are:
- to characterize the in-utero environment by assessing the influence of antenatal maternal, paternal factors (e.g. medical history, dietary intake, smoking exposure, and psychosocial stress), and pregnancy factors (e.g. abnormal gestational glucose tolerance, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preterm births, and newborn small and large-for-gestational age birth weight) across diverse environments on newborn's body composition, birth weight and length;
- to study the association between early feeding practices (i.e. breastfeeding, weaning and complimentary feeding pattern) and post-natal growth and adiposity at 1 and 3 years after birth across diverse environments; and
- to study the association between specific micronutrient (vitamin B12, homocysteine and folate) status and gestational weight gain with body composition and birth weight across diverse environments.
- Start Year
- 2011
- Supplementary Information
-
- Stearns, J. C., Zulyniak, M. A., de Souza, R. J., et al. (2017). Ethnic and diet-related differences in the healthy infant microbiome. Genome medicine, 9(1), 32.
- Anand, SS., Gupta, MK., Teo K, et al. (2017) Causes and Consequences of Gestational Diabetes in South Asians living in Canada: Results from a prospective cohort study. CMAJ Open vol. 5(3): E604-E611.
- Anand, S. S., et al. "What accounts for ethnic differences in newborn skinfold thickness comparing South Asians and White Caucasians? Findings from the START and FAMILY Birth Cohorts." International Journal of Obesity 40.2 (2016): 239-244.
- De Souza, R. J., Zulyniak, M. A., Desai, D., et al. (2016). Harmonization of Food-Frequency Questionnaires and Dietary Pattern Analysis in 4 Ethnically Diverse Birth Cohorts. The Journal of nutrition, 146(11), 2343-2350.
- Zulyniak M, de Souza R, Shaikh M, et al. The effects of a plant-based diet in pregnancy on birthweight — ethnicity. Under review BMJ open.
Visit START
| Investigators | Contacts |
|---|---|
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Design
- Study design
- Cohort
- Follow Up
- Pregnant women were recruited during their antenatal visits (first or second trimester) to their primary care practionner or obstetrician and were followed-up at delivery, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 60 months postpartum. Babies were followed-up at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 48 months, and 60 months of age.
- Supplementary Information
Marker Paper
Anand S.S., Vasudevan A., Gupta M., Morrison K., Kurpad A., Teo K.K., Srinivasan K., The START Cohort Study Investigators. 2013. Rationale and design of South Asian Birth Cohort (START): a Canada-India collaborative study. BMC Public Health; 13(1):79.
PUBMED 23356884
Recruitment
- Recruitment Target
-
- Families
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 3,024
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 3,024
- Supplementary Information
-
Mothers (3 sub-groups): 1512 participants
Children (3 sub-groups): 1512 participants
Access
Availability of data and biosamples
| Possible Access to Data | |
| Possible Access to Biosamples | |
| Other |
|
Availability of access information
By contacting the study representative
Timeline
Populations
Selection Criteria
- Sex
-
Women
- Minimum age
-
18
- Maximum age
-
40
- Pregnant Women
-
- First trimester
- Second trimester
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
-
- Canada
- Territory
- Ethnic Origin
-
- South Asian origin
- Health Status
-
- Supplementary Information about selection criteria
-
Exclusion criteria:
- women with expected multiple births;
- women who have had more than four live births previously;
- surrogate mothers;
- women who conceived the fetus using artificial methods including in-vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination;
- women who suffer from severe chronic medical conditions including active cancer, severe infectious diseases including HIV, hepatitis B or C, or who are VDLR positive;
- women with significant heart disease;
- women with a seizure disorder requiring daily medication.
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
-
- Specific population
- Specific Population
-
- Clinic patients
- Supplementary Information
-
Women were recruited in the Peel Ontario Region at the Brampton Civic Hospital, at the Credit Valley Hospital and at the Trillium Health Centre during their antenatal visits to their primary care or obstetrician.
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 1,012
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 1,012
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Description | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
START - Mothers Canada - Baseline
|
Information on socio-demographics (age, parity, family structure, and number of children in the house), and medical and pregnancy history were obtained by questionnaires. Information on ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 1 |
START - Mothers Canada - Birth
|
Details of the delivery and birth outcomes were recorded from the medical chart. | 2011 | 2017 |
| 2 |
START - Mothers Canada - 3 months
|
Information on psychosocial stress was collected and includes questions about maternal depression. | 2011 | 2017 |
| 3 |
START - Mothers Canada - 6 months
|
Information on psychosocial stress was collected and includes questions about maternal depression. | 2011 | 2017 |
| 4 |
START - Mothers Canada - 12 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for South Asians living in Canada. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on occupational ... |
2012 | 2017 |
| 5 |
START - Mothers Canada - 24 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for South Asians living in Canada. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on occupational ... |
2013 | 2017 |
| 6 |
START - Mothers Canada - 36 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for South Asians living in Canada. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on occupational ... |
2014 | 2017 |
| 7 |
START - Mothers Canada - 60 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for South Asians living in Canada. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on occupational ... |
2016 | 2017 |
Selection Criteria
- Sex
-
Women
- Minimum age
-
18
- Maximum age
-
40
- Pregnant Women
-
- First trimester
- Second trimester
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
-
- India
- Territory
- Karnataka State
- Ethnic Origin
-
- South Asian origin
- Health Status
-
- Supplementary Information about selection criteria
-
Exclusion criteria:
- women with expected multiple births;
- women who have had more than four live births previously;
- surrogate mothers;
- women who conceived the fetus using artificial methods including in-vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination;
- women who suffer from severe chronic medical conditions including active cancer, severe infectious diseases including HIV, hepatitis B or C, or who are VDLR positive;
- women with significant heart disease;
- women with a seizure disorder requiring daily medication.
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
-
- Specific population
- Specific Population
-
- Clinic patients
- Supplementary Information
-
Women were recruited in the St. John's Medical College Hospital in Karnataka State during their antenatal visits to their primary care or obstetrician.
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 250
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 250
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Description | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
START - Mothers Urban India - Baseline
|
Information on socio-demographics (age, parity, family structure, and number of children in the house), and medical and pregnancy history were obtained by questionnaires. Information on ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 1 |
START - Mothers Urban India - Birth
|
Details of the delivery and birth outcomes were recorded from the medical chart. | 2011 | 2017 |
| 2 |
START - Mothers Urban India - 6 months
|
Information on psychosocial stress was collected and includes questions about maternal depression. | 2011 | 2017 |
| 3 |
START - Mothers Urban India - 12 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for the urban middle class residing in South Asia. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on ... |
2012 | 2017 |
| 4 |
START - Mothers Urban India - 24 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for the urban middle class residing in South Asia. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on ... |
2013 | 2017 |
| 5 |
START - Mothers Urban India - 36 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for the urban middle class residing in South Asia. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on ... |
2014 | 2017 |
| 6 |
START - Mothers Urban India - 60 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for South Asians living in Canada. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on occupational ... |
2016 | 2017 |
Selection Criteria
- Sex
-
Women
- Minimum age
-
18
- Maximum age
-
40
- Pregnant Women
-
- First trimester
- Second trimester
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
-
- India
- Territory
- Karnataka State
- Ethnic Origin
-
- South Asian origin
- Health Status
-
- Supplementary Information about selection criteria
-
Exclusion criteria:
- women with expected multiple births;
- women who have had more than four live births previously;
- surrogate mothers;
- women who conceived the fetus using artificial methods including in-vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination;
- women who suffer from severe chronic medical conditions including active cancer, severe infectious diseases including HIV, hepatitis B or C, or who are VDLR positive;
- women with significant heart disease;
- women with a seizure disorder requiring daily medication.
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
-
- Specific population
- Specific Population
-
- Clinic patients
- Supplementary Information
-
Women were recruited in the Snehalaya Hospital in Karnataka State during their antenatal visits to their primary care or obstetrician.
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 250
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 250
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Description | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
START - Mothers Rural India - Baseline
|
Information on socio-demographics (age, parity, family structure, and number of children in the house), and medical and pregnancy history were obtained by questionnaires. Information on ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 1 |
START - Mothers Rural India - Birth
|
Details of the delivery and birth outcomes were recorded from the medical chart. | 2011 | 2017 |
| 2 |
START - Mothers Rural India - 6 months
|
Information on psychosocial stress was collected and includes questions about maternal depression. | 2011 | 2017 |
| 3 |
START - Mothers Rural India - 12 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for the urban middle class residing in South Asia. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on ... |
2012 | 2017 |
| 4 |
START - Mothers Rural India - 24 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for the urban middle class residing in South Asia. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on ... |
2013 | 2017 |
| 5 |
START - Mothers Rural India - 36 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for the urban middle class residing in South Asia. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on ... |
2014 | 2017 |
| 6 |
START - Mothers Rural India - 60 months
|
Maternal diets were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted for the urban middle class residing in South Asia. Maternal physical activity was assessed to capture information on ... |
2016 | 2017 |
Selection Criteria
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
-
- Canada
- Territory
- Ethnic Origin
-
- South Asian origin
- Health Status
-
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
-
- Specific population
- Specific Population
-
- Other specific population : Babies of the pregnant women already included in the study.
- Supplementary Information
-
Babies were born at the Brampton Civic Hospital, at the Credit Valley Hospital and at the Trillium Health Centre, in the Peel Ontario Region.
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 1,012
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 1,012
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Description | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
START - Children Canada - Birth
|
Lenght, weight, ponderal index, skinfold thickness, head, chest and mid upper arm circumference, crown-heel length as well as blood pressure were measured. Body fat was assessed using ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 1 |
START - Children Canada - 3 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 2 |
START - Children Canada - 6 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 3 |
START - Children Canada - 12 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2012 | 2017 |
| 4 |
START - Children Canada - 24 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2013 | 2017 |
| 5 |
START - Children Canada - 36 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2014 | 2017 |
| 6 |
START - Children Canada - 48 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2015 | 2017 |
| 7 |
START - Children Canada - 60 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2016 | 2017 |
Selection Criteria
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
-
- India
- Territory
- Karnataka State
- Ethnic Origin
-
- South Asian origin
- Health Status
-
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
-
- Specific population
- Specific Population
-
- Other specific population : Babies of the pregnant women already included in the study.
- Supplementary Information
-
Babies were born at the St. John's Medical College Hospital in Karnataka State.
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 250
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 250
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Description | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
START - Children Urban India - Birth
|
Lenght, weight, ponderal index, skinfold thickness, head, chest and mid upper arm circumference, crown-heel length as well as blood pressure were measured. Body fat was assessed using ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 1 |
START - Children Urban India - 3 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 2 |
START - Children Urban India - 6 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 3 |
START - Children Urban India - 12 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2012 | 2017 |
| 4 |
START - Children Urban India - 24 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2013 | 2017 |
| 5 |
START - Children Urban India - 36 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2014 | 2017 |
| 6 |
START - Children Urban India - 48 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2015 | 2017 |
| 7 |
START - Children Urban India - 60 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2016 | 2017 |
Selection Criteria
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
-
- India
- Territory
- Karnataka State
- Ethnic Origin
-
- South Asian origin
- Health Status
-
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
-
- Specific population
- Specific Population
-
- Other specific population : Babies of the pregnant women already included in the study.
- Supplementary Information
-
Babies were born at the Snehalaya Hospital in Karnataka State.
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 250
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 250
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Description | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
START - Children Rural India - Birth
|
Lenght, weight, ponderal index, skinfold thickness, head, chest and mid upper arm circumference, crown-heel length as well as blood pressure were measured. Body fat was assessed using ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 1 |
START - Children Rural India - 3 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 2 |
START - Children Rural India - 6 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2011 | 2017 |
| 3 |
START - Children Rural India - 12 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2012 | 2017 |
| 4 |
START - Children Rural India - 24 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2013 | 2017 |
| 5 |
START - Children Rural India - 36 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2014 | 2017 |
| 6 |
START - Children Rural India - 48 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2015 | 2017 |
| 7 |
START - Children Rural India - 60 months
|
Information on the child morbidity, medications, immunizations and hospitalizations was recorded. Information on feeding practices (initiation of breast feeding, exclusivity of breast feeding, ... |
2016 | 2017 |
Classifications
- Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
- Lifestyle and behaviours
- Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
- Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
- Diseases
- Symptoms and signs
- Medication and supplements
- Non-pharmacological interventions
- Health and community care services utilization
- Death
- Physical measures and assessments
- Laboratory measures
- Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
- Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
- Preschool, school and work life
- Social environment and relationships
- Physical environment
- Administrative information
- Cognitive functioning
- Personality
- Psychological distress and emotions
- Other psychological measures and assessments
- Life events
- Beliefs and values
- Perception of health
- Quality of life
- Life course development
- Functional limitations
- Other perception of health, quality of life and functional limitation-related information
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Nutrition
- Breastfeeding
- Physical activity
- Sleep
- Sexual behaviours and orientation
- Technological devices
- Misbehaviour and criminality
- Other and unspecified lifestyle information
Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
Lifestyle and behaviours
Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
Diseases
Symptoms and signs
Medication and supplements
Non-pharmacological interventions
Health and community care services utilization
Death
Physical measures and assessments
Laboratory measures
Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
Preschool, school and work life
Social environment and relationships
Physical environment
Administrative information
Psychological distress and emotions
Life events
Beliefs and values
Life course development
Nutrition
Sleep