Growing up in Scotland
Harnessing national data to learn about child & adolescent sleep
This study explored what factors shape sleep patterns during childhood through analysing the largest national dataset of its kind. More specifically, following a cohort of Scottish children over 14 years, the study identified the longitudinal relationships between sleep, obesity, diet, physical activity, and screen time. In doing so, the study better informs how we can holistically support child health and wellbeing into adolescence and beyond.
The Growing Up in Scotland Dataset
Growing Up in Scotland is a Scottish government-backed cohort study that follows the lives of children across Scotland from birth through adolescence. Since its inception in 2005, around 14,000 young people have been included in the study, informing researchers and policymakers alike (1).
This analysis used a subset of this dataset to answer the questions (2):
- What is the relationship between sleep and obesity? And how does this change across childhood?
- Do poor sleep & obesity contribute to poor wellbeing?
- What are shared risk factors that could exacerbate poor sleep and weight status?
Findings
Part 1: Trends in Sleep & Obesity
Sleep Trends
Sleep & Obesity
Sleep, Obesity, & Wellbeing
Part 2: Factors that Contribute to Poor Sleep & Obesity
Physical Activity
- Higher levels of physical activity & participation in sports improved sleep duration (2).
- However, physical activity did not meaningfully affect a child’s weight status (2).
Diet
- There was a significant association between children being allowed whenever they wanted and a higher BMI and poor sleep (2).
- Meanwhile, breakfast consumption, electronic use during meals, freedom to eat whatever, and higher sweets and chocolate were associated with shorter sleep duration, but not increased BMI (2).
Screen Time
- Higher rates of weekend electronic use, a computer or TV in the bedroom, and a lack of caregiver knowledge of their child’s online activities were all linked to shorter sleep duration and an increased BMI (2).
- Whereas, weekday electronic use, hours of TV, phones in the bedroom, and children lying about their online activity were all associated with reduced sleep, but not increased BMI.
Risk-Taking Behaviour
- Children who tried alcohol and/or smoking were more likely to have a higher BMI and shorter sleep duration (2).
- There were links between conduct problems and stealing from a shop and poor sleep (2).
- Additionally, stealing money and vaping were associated with a higher BMI status (2).
What are the key takeaways?
1. There is a bidirectional relationship between poor sleep & obesity in childhood and adolescence
Adolescence is a key turning point in sleep pattern development. Similarly, adolescence is a critical window in the development of chronic obesity. The finding that these two elements interact highlights the importance of their co-management in optimising health during childhood and beyond.
2. Wellbeing could be an important mediator of the sleep-obesity relationship
Poor wellbeing was both a cause and effect of poor sleep, and was associated with a higher BMI. This emphasises the importance of looking after both sleep and mental wellbeing as part of maintaining a healthy weight.
3. There are shared risk factors contributing to both poor sleep & obesity
The six factors highlighted below were all identified as behaviours that contributed to poor sleep and obesity, making them prime targets for potential interventions to improve adolescent health.
Still Curious?
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Page References
1.Growing Up in Scotland. Overview: Scottish Government; [Available from: https://growingupinscotland.org.uk/overview.
2.Gale EL. Shared determinants of poor sleep and increased adiposity and obesity in childhood and adolescence [unpublished thesis]. St Andrews: University of St Andrews; 2024.