Population Cohort Study of Wroclaw Citizens (PICTURE) – study protocol

The objective of the PICTURE project is to conduct a comprehensive survey study and laboratory analy­ses in children and their parents concerning their health status with observation of environmental and social factors influencing lifestyle and occurrence of risk factors. The randomly selected participants (1250 children aged 7-14 years and 1250 parents) were invited to enroll in the study, which started in 2019. Every participant of the study undergoes a questionnaire study, including nutritional and physical activity assessment, and medical examination: anthropometric measurements, ECG, spirometry, audiometry, tympanometry, blood pressure measurement, hand grip strength and body composition. Children are also examined for posture defects using a Podoscan and a scoliometer. Data are obtained in the standardized way, periodically once every two years with annual phone contact. For the purpose of future analyses, the specimens (blood, urine, feces and saliva) are stored in the first integrated biobank in Poland with an ISO 9001:2015 certificate and positive quality assessment in BBMRI-ERIC. Our study aims to create a Wroclaw cohort, which gives an opportunity of longitudinal observation of the impact of societal, beha­vioral and familial factors and environmental exposure on health outcomes, which will be the basis for targeted preventive programs.