Kemper, H. C. G. (Ed.). (2004). Medicine and sport science – Amsterdam growth and health longitudinal study: A 23-year follow-up from teenager to adult about lifestyle and health. Basel, Switzerland: Karger. 198 pages. ISBN: 38055766528. Hard cover. Cost: $147.00 USD.

Over 600 teens were observed for a 23-year period of time in Amsterdam. The investigators attempted to determine the longitudinal relationship between health and lifestyle selections including factors of physical activity, diet, smoking and consumption of alcohol. This volume of the series, Medicine and Sport Sciences, involves research on the “…growth, health and fitness of teenagers, the generation that will bring forth the top athletes of the eighties.” Longitudinal studies are quite rare, particularly one that has a more than two-decade follow-up. Standard physical and psychological factor data were used to produce a quality research design with repeated measures.

A review of AGAHLS (Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study) longitudinal studies on lifestyle and health from adolescence to adulthood, including 200 + scientific publications and 10 Ph. D. dissertations; the importance of longitudinal data analysis, trends on stability and error of biological and lifestyle characteristics longitudinally; fetal origins and musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health at adulthood; lifestyle and genetics in relation to bone health, smoking alcohol and coffee consumption, and cardiovascular risk indicators; personality and lifestyle choices; energy balance in relation to body composition from adolescence to adulthood; the importance of physical activity in aerobic power in young children; and the effects of health information in youth on adult biological and lifestyle risk factors for chronic diseases are included in the text’s content.

Each chapter is formatted to make information more understandable for the reader. An abstract is provided that contains background/aims, methods, results, and a conclusion. This assists the reader in locating details in the chapter.

The cost of the text is difficult to handle for those who have limited university budgets or must purchase it themselves. The publishing company, however, has provided an interesting alternative to the purchase of the entire text. On its website, www.karger.com/mspsc, those wishing to purchase selected chapters may do so at a reduced cost. The limiting factor, of course, is the reader’s ability to have access to the internet.

This text is a valuable one for those who are interested in conducting longitudinal research on topics involving health, physical activity, and lifestyle selections. Those who are also in the private sector may find selected abstracts of interest in the planning of facilities for the future in their communities.