On 30 November, the ABCD study held its very first ABCD festival at NEMO De Studio. Our goal: organizing an educational and fun event, to share our results with 20-year-olds. Our solution: asking 20-year-olds themselves what they like!

As a large cohort study, it is important for the ABCD study to give back to its participants, who are now 20 years old. We wanted to spread some of the health knowledge that we have gained through our research. In co-design sessions several ABCD participants decided what topics they are interested in. The participants also selected the form in which they would like the information to be presented. Based on these sessions, we started with the organization of the ABCD festival. The programme and dissemination for the festival was later course-corrected based on a feedback session with some of the same participants, to reach its final form.

During the highly interactive ABCD festival, participants of the ABCD study and other guests explored the themes of sleep, nutrition and movement behaviour. ABCD researchers hosted market stands, where they answered questions, started discussions with visitors, and played interactive educational games with visitors. All based on results of the ABCD study. Visitors could find out their chronotype, roll a dice for exercise, and compete in a grip strength competition. Other highlights included a quiz, a workshop on sleep hygiene, and free access to the exposition Living Looonger at NEMO De Studio. And visitors loved the timeline we made of ABCD research on the themes of the event. It was a fun and different way to share our results. To be continued in the following years!