Learn about the 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS) and its measurement of physical activity
Longitudinal study description
The NCDS was originally known as the Perinatal Mortality Study and was initially developed in response to concerns about levels of stillbirths and neonatal births. It surveyed 17,415 babies born in a single week in March 1958 in England, Scotland and Wales. The study has since continued to collect data throughout the life course, at ages 7, 11, 16, 23, 33, 42, 44, 46, 50 and 55y. Data collection at 62y was ongoing at the time of writing of this guide. Although the NCDS was initially focused on child health, it has evolved to incorporate many other important domains and outcomes. In childhood, parents (typically mothers) were the main reporters, but also teachers and schools have provided data, and children completed tests and underwent medical examinations. From the age of 16y and throughout adulthood, study members have provided data through interviews, self-completed questionnaires, tests of skills and ability, and biomedical and physical assessments have also been carried out. The most recent sweep was in 2013 when study members were aged 55y, with a total of 9,137 participating [101].
Physical activity overview (11 to 55y)
The NCDS contains childhood and adult self-reported measures across each physical activity domain (from 11-55y). Leisure time physical activity was measured at ages 11, 16, 23, 33, 42, 44, 50, and 55y, with leisure time variables at age 44 based on a modified version of the EPAQ-2 (EPIC physical activity questionnaire) [98]. Occupational physical activity was measured at ages 33, 44, 50 and 55y. Active travel was measured at ages 44 and 46y. Domestic activities were measured at ages 33, 44, and 50y. Finally, sedentary behaviour was measured at ages 11, 16, 23, and 44y.
In terms of comparability across time within this longitudinal study, leisure time physical activity can be compared in terms of intensity and frequency of engagement on the weekly/non weekly level. Occupational activity can be compared by intensity in earlier ages, although only engagement in specific activities (i.e. standing) can be compared across ages 33, 44, 50, and 55y. Active travel measures only appear in ages 44-46y and can therefore not be compared longitudinally. Frequency of domestic activities may be compared on the weekly level, although there are some slight differences in wording; this domain may also be comparable based on type of activity. Sedentary behaviour in childhood, while again slightly different, may be comparable on frequency. Finally, sedentary behaviour in adulthood is not directly comparable as measures vary from frequency to duration.
Data access
NCDS data are freely accessible to bona fide researchers by applying through the UK Data Service. More information on NCDS is available on the CLS website.
Learn about the other studies covered by this guide and their measurement of physical activity:
- 1946 National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD)
- 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70)
- Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)
- Millennium Cohort Study (MCS)
- Understanding Society: The UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS)
Explore the measures by physical activity domain and their cross-study comparability:
- Summary of cross-study comparisons
- Leisure time physical activity
- Occupational activity
- Active travel
- Domestic activities
- Sedentary behaviour
Further information:
- Acknowledgements and copyright information for this guide
- References for this guide
- Download the full guide as a PDF
- Electronic appendix: Index of all documented measures
This page is part of the CLOSER resource: ‘Physical activity across age and study: a guide to data in six CLOSER studies’.