In September 2014 we launched Phase 2 of the Fenland Study. Over the course of four years we sent invitations to participants who attended an initial Phase 1 Fenland Study visit between 2005 and 2015, and who agreed to be re-contacted, to return for a 2nd visit.
The information we collected in Phase 2 has been used to study the relationship between changes in objectively measured activity and dietary behaviours and body composition, and subsequent risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other relevant health conditions. It has also helped us to understand the determinants of changes in all these factors.
Participation in Phase 2 of the study involved a single morning visit of three and a half hours at one of our Research Units, either the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely, the North Cambridgeshire Hospital in Wisbech or Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
Most of the measurements that were carried out during the Phase 1 visit were repeated, as well as the collection of new information. In Phase 2 we also invited some participants to donate a blood sample for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for research purposes.
Phase 2 participation - questionnaires answered and measurements taken
Questionnaires
Participants were asked questions on the following topics:
Medical History
Diet
Physical Activity
General Lifestyle
Measurements
Clinical Measurements
Blood Pressure
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Body Composition
Height, weight, hip and waist circumference was measured
Ultrasound
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan
Physical Measurements
Hand grip strength of both hands to assess muscular strength
Cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants were asked to rest by lying on a couch for 10 minutes. During this test we measured their resting energy expenditure by monitoring the air that they breathe. If they eligible, they were then asked to walk on a treadmill for 16 minutes and if they could, to jog for 4 minutes. Alternatively, they were asked to perform a self-paced walk test
Physical Activity
Physical activity was monitored in the week following the visit. Participants were given a combined heart rate and movement sensor weighing less than 10 grams, to wear continuously for 6 days and nights and then return by freepost
Participants were asked to wear one or two additional monitors; a Global Positioning System Receiver (GPS) which could be worn discreetly on the waist and/or an accelerometer that was worn on the wrist
Following the measurement period, participants had the opportunity to annotate information about the context of their own data using the Annotation Tool. Watch a video introduction to the Annotation Tool.
Blood Tests
Blood samples were taken to measure fasting blood glucose and fat (lipid) levels, and an oral glucose tolerance test performed. Participants consumed a harmless sugary drink and their response to the glucose in the drink was assessed through another blood sample taken 2 hours later. If they had been diagnosed with diabetes since their first visit they were still eligible to take part, however, we only took an initial blood sample and they did not need to consume the sugary drink.
In Phase 2 we also invited some participants to donate a blood sample for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for research purposes. These cells are induced from circulating white blood cells, and the different experimentally derived cell types will be used to investigate pathways that link our genetic profiles with metabolic disease. The cells generated were not of direct benefit to participants or anyone else in the treatment of disease, and have only been used for experimental research purposes.
