Health behaviours such as physical activity, diet, alcohol consumption and smoking, have a major impact on healthy life expectancy. The determinants of health behaviours are complex and multifaceted, including individual, social, and environmental factors.

Our research is aimed to understand the development of health behaviours over the life course and to identify periods of increased susceptibility for behavioural change. We evaluate lifestyle interventions focusing on disease risk reduction to improve the healthy life expectancy of the general population. In addition, we investigate the role of the food and physical environment on these health behaviours. We analyse data from large, population-based cohort studies, such as Lifelines.

We collaborate with the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute.

Contact

Nynke Smidt
Nynke Smidt Associate Professor in Epidemiology

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Epidemiology
PO Box 30.001
9700 RB Groningen
The Netherlands

Visiting Address
University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Epidemiology
Hanzeplein 1
9713 GZ Groningen

location: Zusterhuis B1 ING 27