History of the Fels Longitudinal Study

The Fels Research Institute was founded in 1929 with a single albeit complex research project known as the Fels Longitudinal Study. This study was and still is a serial, multidisciplinary study. The Fels Longitudinal Study was one of many similar studies which began between 1927 and 1932 originally designed to study the effects of The Great Depression on child development. The Fels Study most closely resembled the Child Research Council program from the University of Colorado and the Harvard School of Public Health Growth Study in Boston, Massachusetts. Both of these studies concentrated on individuals within families, and continued examinations throughout adulthood. Whereas physical growth and maturation were the key research areas for each of these studies, the Fels Longitudinal Study also devoted a portion of the study's efforts in psychological areas. In 1974, psychological data in the Fels Study was no longer collected. The present day study focuses on physical growth and maturation, along with body composition. All of the studies that sprang from the time period between 1927 and 1932 recorded serial data for the individuals enrolled. However, most of the studies analyzed the data cross-sectionally, under-utilizing the power of the longitudinal design. To date, the Fels Longitudinal Study is the longest running serial study of its kind.

In 1977, the Fels Longitudinal Study became part of the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, residing first in the Department of Pediatrics and then later within the Department of Community Health. In spite of this, the location of the Fels Longitudinal Study remained in the town of its conception, Yellow Springs, Ohio. The location of the Fels Study was originally chosen at the Study's conception. In 1929, Arthur Morgan, then President of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, posed the question, "What makes people different?". He approached Samuel Fels, a Philadelphia businessman and philanthropist, regarding not only this question, but his idea that a longitudinal study from birth to adulthood would be required in order to attempt an answer to this question. The magnitude of Arthur Morgan's request can only be measured after knowing that at the time of this proposal, expert biologists and social scientists were skeptical that a longitudinal study from conception to adulthood had any real value. Undeterred, Mr. Fels gave Arthur Morgan the backing needed to begin such a study.

Lester W. Sontag, Antioch College's physician, was appointed as the first Director for the Fels Longitudinal Study in 1929. The first participants were enrolled prenatally by their parents, and the first examinations began in 1930. Lester Sontag remained active in the study, developing and nurturing it until his retirement in 1970.

The Fels Research Institute was owned and operated by the Fels Fund of Philadelphia, a Fund set up by Samuel Fels to continue his philanthropic endeavors even after his death in 1950. By the 1950's, the Fels Institute was not only receiving funding from the Fels Fund of Philadelphia, but additional support came from the United States Government. As a result of financial constraints, the Fels Fund donated the Institute to Wright State University School of Medicine in 1977, although the Fels Fund continued financial support until 1982. The Institute was absorbed into the School of Medicine, and the Fels Longitudinal Study found a home in the Lifespan Health Research Center, Department of Community Health. Now, the Fels Longitudinal Study is one of many areas of research for the Lifespan Health Research Center.

The original plan for participation in the study called for the future Fels participants to be enrolled into the study during pregnancy of the mother, with the first measurements being taken near the time of birth. Between 12 and 20 participants were enrolled each year. However, after some of the mothers became pregnant again, their requests to have the siblings to the first participants enrolled was also honored. Now, in addition to these first volunteers, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have become dedicated participants. These Fels participants follow a testing schedule that emphasizes visits during key developmental stages or other times in their life when major changes are occurring. Not only has the number and type of participant changed, but the living range of the participants changed. The first participants lived within 30 miles of the Fels Institute. Now many participants reside outside Ohio, some even living abroad. This does not deter participation, as many times out-of-state families will arrange family reunions around visit dates.

Although the original data measured by the Fels study may be grouped as physical growth, physical maturity, skeletal and dental data, and body composition, other areas have been added (and discontinued) as funding and interest changed. Previously, data had been collected for adipocyte size, hearing ability, somatotypes, personality, school achievement, intelligence, family behavior, and fetal movements. Many of these types of studies were discontinued and the emphasis shifted primarily to body composition methodologies.

In 2001, the Fels Longitudinal Study became part of the Lifespan Health Research Center, and moved to a new location in Kettering, Ohio.

Most recently, variables relating to risk factors for cardiovascular disease, dietary intakes, genetic markers, and medical, physical activity, and menstrual histories have been added. Other variables and areas of research have also been added as the full time research staff has become involved in research not directly related to the Fels Study.

Often the participants enrolled in the Longitudinal Study are referred to as the "Fels Family". The loyalty of the participants and the dedication of the researchers and staff has generated a wealth of data and knowledge now known about the key areas on which the Fels Study focuses: physical growth, physical maturity, body composition, along with other related areas of research. The participants remain the heart and soul of the project. They, and the faculty and staff seek to set scientific precedence in research techniques while not forgetting the original question asked by Samuel Fels, "what makes people different?"