STORK Groruddalen

About the project

The STORK Groruddalen cohort was set up in 2008 as a population-based multi-center cohort study in a multi-ethnic population in Oslo.

Objectives

To explore ethnic differences in: (1) maternal health, primarily gestational diabetes (GDM) and related health issues during pregnancy and post partum, and effects of exposures on risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health issues, and (2) offspring’s growth and body composition, overweight/obesity and effects of early life exposures

Outcomes

More than 65 scientific papers have been published from the STORK Groruddalen study, see publication list. The study has resulted in 13 ph.d. theses, in addition to 9 master’s theses.

Background

The main goal of the study was to gain new knowledge in order to contribute to fewer women and children developing overweight and obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. We obtained updated knowledge about these public health challenges by assessing the health status of pregnant women and birth outcomes in different ethnic groups. We have used the results to improve pregnancy and postnatal care by developing culturally sensitive health services tailored to the needs of the population and individuals.

In the follow-up study of the women (2019-2022), we aimed to learn even more about how we can prevent and treat important health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other common health issues.

The following papers give an overview of the study methods and data material:

The STORK Groruddalen research programme: A population-based cohort study of gestational diabetes, physical activity, and obesity in pregnancy in a multiethnic population. Rationale, methods, study population, and participation rates

Cohort profile update: the Norwegian STORK Groruddalen (STORK G) pregnancy and birth cohort-the role of ethnicity and causal pathways for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health issues

Cohort profile: Epigenetics in Pregnancy (EPIPREG) – population-based sample of European and South Asian pregnant women with epigenome-wide DNA methylation (850k) in peripheral blood leukocytes

Financing

The research part of the project is primarily funded by:

• Norwegian Research Council
• South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority
• Extra/DAM foundation
• University of Oslo, Faculty of Medicine

The prevention part of the project and parts of the data collection in the districts are funded by the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the districts of Stovner, Grorud, and Bjerke

Cooperation

• Oslo University Hospital
• Akershus University Hospital
• OsloMet
• Oslo Diabetes Research Centre
• Oslo Municipality, city districts of Stovner, Grorud, and Bjerke
• We also have international partners in India and the UK

Project start and finish

2007-2030