CATSS study
CATSS - The Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden, is a research project focusing on children and young adults. The study aims to investigate how genetic and environmental factors influence health and behaviour in this age group, seeking to understand why some individuals develop diseases while others remain healthy.
By comparing identical and fraternal twins, we can determine the relative importance of heredity and environment in the development of common diseases. Hereditary factors refer to the genes shared by family members, while the environmental component includes aspects of the family environment that are similar for children within the same family, such as upbringing and diet.
In this study, we primarily examine traits with varying degrees of genetic influence. However, we acknowledge that environmental factors are often at least as significant as hereditary factors in shaping health and behaviour.