Table 1 Characteristics of the five data sources used in this study

Doetinchem Cohort Study

SBP <65 years

Total cholesterol <65 years

BMI <65 years

Prospective cohort study

Baseline 62 % follow-up 75–80 %

7769 at baseline

20–59 Years at baseline

1987–2007

LASA

SBP ≥65 years

Total cholesterol ≥65 years

BMI ≥65 years

Prospective cohort study

Baseline 55–60 % follow-up 85 %

3107 at baseline

55–85 Years at baseline

1995–2009

STIVORO

Smoking

Survey

~70 % overall

Sample ~20,000 each year

Aged 15 years and over

1988–2011

HNU^a

Diabetes mellitus

GP Register/Dynamic cohort study

n/a

70,854 in 1996 100,359 in 2012

All ages included

1996–2012

CBS Gezondheidsenquete

Physical activity

Survey

60–65 % Overall

Sample ~15,000 each year

Aged 18 years and over

2001–2011