Multigenerational Cohort Study

In partnership with the Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute in Pune, India, the CHANGE Research Lab is collaborating with Dr. Anuradha Khadilkar on a multigenerational, longitudinal cohort study. Termed YUVAAN (YoUng adolescents’ behaViour, musculoskeletAl heAlth, growth & Nutrition), the overall goal of this study is to not only capture the broad range of socioeconomic and socioecological determinants of health across generations, but also to understand healthcare access and utilization among a rural cohort – evidence that currently does not exist in India.

To achieve this overall goal, YUVAAN has the following objectives:

1) to understand trajectories of growth among rural preadolescents (aged 8-10 years) and their parents over a period of 15 years,

2) to investigate intergenerational patterns of non-communicable disease health risks and growth (including muscle and bone health) among preadolescents (8-10-year-olds) including the health of their parents and future offspring in rural areas,

3) to identify and address socioeconomic and socioecological determinants of health (i.e., climate change impacts, sociocultural factors) associated with growth trajectories and intergenerational disease risk, and

4) to strengthen community-based, social and behaviour change communication strategies and implement interventions that improve the nutritional and health status of preadolescents and their parents by exploring and improving their knowledge, attitude, and practices.

In addition to a range of nutritional and clinical outcomes, the impact of socioecological variables including food security, climate change, and physical activity will be assessed. Find out more by reading our metholodogy paper: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.08.30.23294810v1.full.pdf