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Health Journey - The 1988 Icelandic Birth Cohort Study
PH.D. PROJECT
About the project
This longitudinal study follows a cohort of Icelandic residents born in 1988, with the primary objective of tracking changes in physical, mental, and social health across three key life stages: adolescence (15 years), emerging adulthood (23 years), and adulthood (36 years in current study phase).
The participants physical and mental health was assessed at the age of 15 and/or 23 and now for the second or third time at the age of 36. Additionally, 100 new participants born in 1988, with no prior data, were recruited for a cross-sectional analysis.
Assessments included an aerobic fitness test, physical activity and sleep monitored with accelerometers, body composition analysis (DEXA), grip strength and blood pressure measurements, and a comprehensive mental health questionnaire.
By bridging the gap from adolescence to adulthood, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore the interplay between mental health factors, social support, aerobic fitness, physical activity, and sleep, shedding light on their collective impact on overall health in adulthood.
Doctoral Candidate
- Kristrún María Björnsdóttir, MSc, Exercise Scientist, Phd student at UNAK
Doctoral committee
- Erlingur Sigurður Jóhannsson. Professor, University of Iceland - Main supervisor
- Nanna Ýr Arnardóttir. Assistant Professor, University of Akureyri - Co-supervisor
- G. Sunna Gestsdóttir. Dósent ,Associate Professor, University of Iceland - Co-supervisor
Collaborators
- Dr. Ársæll Már Arnarson. Professor, University of Iceland
- Sæunn Rut Sævarsdóttir. Phd student, University of Iceland
- Dr. Elvar Sævarsson. Researcher.
- Dr. Hege Randi Eriksen, Professor, Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences at Western Norway Univ. of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
- Dr. Jorge Mota, Professor, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Director of the Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, at Porto University, Portugal
- Dr. Kong Chen, Senior Clinical Investigator and Director of the Metabolic Clinical Research Unit at the NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Dr. Mari Hysing, Professor, Faculty of Psychology, Univ. of Bergen, Norway
- Dr. Robert Brychta, Staff Scientist at the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, NIH, Maryland, USA