Table 1 Overview of the population-based study

This population-based study, coordinated by Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in collaboration with the National Healthcare Group (Singapore) and Imperial College London, was established to identify the genetic and environmental factors that underpin the development of chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, in Singapore. Ultimately, the goal is to use this knowledge to develop novel ways of predicting, preventing, detecting early and treating chronic diseases in Singapore.

The genetic and medical predispositions differ between population, and to date similar studies have been conducted in the US, UK and Germany. However, 60% of the world’s population do not have European heritage and this biobank will improve the understanding of disease predispositions in South East Asians. The phenotypic, physiological and biological measurements together with long-term follow-up, will enable the study of the complex interrelationships between environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors on disease risk [42,43,44,45]. The study aims to recruit 10,000 Singaporeans aged between 30 to 84 from the three main ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay, and Indian) and others. Each participant will have a comprehensive health screening, including health and lifestyle questionnaires, physical measurements, and extensive physiological and imaging data. After the first visit, participants receive a report detailing important abnormal results.