From April 1998 to October 2002, some 12,583 Southampton women between 20 and 34 years took part in the survey. They had a home visit from one of our research nurses, lasting around one and a half hours. This entailed completing a detailed questionnaire looking at the factors detailed above, as well as being measured (including height, weight, skinfold thicknesses, and waist & hip circumferences). The women also gave a mouthwash sample and were left with a 24-hour food diary to complete and return. Finally they were asked if they would be happy to provide blood and urine samples at a later date, and also to notify us if they became pregnant.

The information from these questionnaires has now been cross-checked and statistical analysis carried out. Many of our findings have been published in scientific journals and have been published in local and national media. Our newsletters provide information to participants in the study.

Although we are no longer recruiting women or babies into the study, we are now completing SWS 17-19 year follow up. If you and your child have taken part in the past, but you have changed address or phone number recently and have not heard from us, please get in touch. Click on the ‘Contact’ link to advise us via this website or telephone our freephone number: 0800 783 4503. Or email: SWS@mrc.soton.ac.uk