Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70) is a longitudinal birth cohort study, following a nationally representative sample of over 17,000 people born in England, Scotland and Wales in a single week of 1970. Cohort members have been sureveyed throughout their childhood and adult lives, mapping their individual trajectories and creating a unique resource for researchers. It is one of very few longitudinal studies following people of this generation anywhere in the world.Since 1970, cohort members have been surveyed at ages 5, 10, 16, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42 and 46. Featuring a range of objective measures and rich self-reported data, BCS70 covers an incredible amount of ground and can be used in research on many topics Evidence from BCS70 has illuminated important issues for our society across five decades. Key findings include how reading for pleasure matters for children's cognitive development, why grammar schools have not reduced social inequalities, and how childhood experiences can impact on mental health in mid-life. Every day researchers from across the scientific community are using this important study to make new connections and discoveries.BCS70 is run by the Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), a research centre in the UCL Institute of Education, which is part of University College London. The content of BCS70 studies, including questions, topics and variables can be explored via the CLOSER Discovery website.How to access genetic and/or bio-medical sample data from a range of longitudinal surveys:For information on how to access biomedical data from BCS70 that are not held at the UKDS, see the CLS Genetic data and biological samples webpage.Secure Access datasetsSecure Access versions of BCS70 have more restrictive access conditions than versions available under the standard End User Licence (EUL). Currently, only sensitive variables from the age 46 sweep are available under SN 9115, although sensitive survey data across all sweeps will be made available over time.
SN 8547 - 1970 British Cohort Study: Age 46, Sweep 10, 2016-2018: The aim of the 46-year follow-up was to collect key details of the cohort members’ lives including their socio-economic circumstances (e.g. household composition, cohabiting relationships, housing, economic activity, and income) and their health (physical health, mental health, medication, and health behaviours). This survey had a significant biomedical focus, with objective health measurements and assessments being conducted for the first time in the cohort members’ adulthood.The 'bcs_age46_child_died' and 'bcs_age46_unsuccessful_pregnancies' datasetsThis note is to inform researchers that the 'bcs_age46_child_died' and 'bcs_age46_unsuccessful_pregnancies' datasets, which were previously available as safeguarded data under EUL, have been classified as controlled data by CLS and can only be accessed via the UKDS SecureLab, subject to the UKDS Secure Access licence. The aim of this note is to provide practical information and guidance to researchers who have downloaded the BCS70 Age 46 datasets 'bcs_age46_child_died' and 'bcs_age46_unsuccessful_pregnancies' from the UK Data Archive. CLS requires that all EUL holders delete their versions of these datasets. Should they require them, users can apply for access through the new Secure Access study SN 9115. However, where a user has downloaded these dataset and is using them in a current project, they may continue to use the data and any outputs derived from their use until the project is completed. On completion of the project, users are then required to delete the original datasets. Future projects should use the new versions of the data. Any users having concerns about this should contact CLS. Further guidelines on destroying data are provided in the UKDS guidelines.Latest edition informationFor the second edition (July 2023), a new data file including newly derived nutritional intake variables based on the food composition table from the UK Nutrient Databank (UKNDB) has been added to the study. In addition, four data files have been updated (main, employment, relationships and dietary questionnaire) and a new version of the user guide is available. Sensitive survey data for Sweep 10 is now available under restrictive access conditions under SN 9115.
Main Topics:
The 45-minute core interview covered: relationships, children, parents, place of residence, economic activity, income, qualifications and training, physical and mental health, smoking, drinking, exercise. Additional data collected included: Cognitive assessments – immediate and delayed word recall, letter cancellation and animal-naming tasksPaper self-completion questionnaire – topics covered include physical health, mental health and well-being, physical activity, and leisure activitiesAnthropometric measurements (height, weight, body-fat, waist/hip circumference)Blood pressure measurementGrip strength assessmentBalance assessmentBlood sample collectionActivity monitorOnline dietary diary
No sampling (total universe)
Face-to-face interview: Computer-assisted (CAPI/CAMI)
Self-administered questionnaire: Computer-assisted (CASI)
