2.3 Topics from Comparable Studies

A review of the instrumentation used by comparable international studies indicates a

high degree of consistency between those studies (see chapter 1 for a full list of

studies) and Growing Up in Ireland for Cohort 08 at age 3 in terms of

topics/subtopics explored within the surveys. The review also identified topics that

were a) explored in Growing Up in Ireland but not in many comparable studies and b)

explored in comparable studies but not previously in Growing Up in Ireland (i.e.

potentially new topics for Growing Up in Ireland).

From a physical health perspective, almost all studies, including Growing Up in

Ireland, explored topics relating to general health status, longstanding illnesses,

conditions and disabilities, diet (including parenting feeding strategies) and speech

and language development. The majority of studies asked questions relating to health

services utilisation (such as GP visits and hospitalization), sleep behaviour,

vaccinations, historical injuries and accidents and child motor development, along

with items relating specifically to respiratory illnesses and visually and auditory

problems.

Fewer studies (again including Growing Up in Ireland) asked about allergies and food

intolerances, antibiotic use, dental health and about (parental) perception of the

child’s weight status. Topics identified in other longitudinal studies but not in

Growing Up in Ireland included food restrictions, sun safety habits, wider safety

habits (car seat, smoke alarm, etc.), prescriptions and vitamins/supplements.

Focussing on physical measurements, almost all studies recorded the child’s height

and weight, while only a few studies (including Growing Up in Ireland) recorded the

parents’ height and weight. A number of studies recorded head circumference,

skinfold thickness, waist/hip circumference, blood pressure, and took blood samples,

although Growing Up in Ireland was not amongst these studies.

2.4 Summary of Continuing Topics