Studies link childhood habits to long-term wellbeing

Studies involving the Estonian National Institute for Health Development have found that children’s physical activity, sleep and screen habits are linked to their wellbeing, with stronger associations among children and adolescents who are overweight or obese, ERR reported.

Two studies examined children’s health from different perspectives. Toomas Veidebaum, chief researcher at the institute’s Department of Chronic Diseases, was a co-author of both scientific articles.

The studies were based on the international IDEFICS and I.Family longitudinal study, which followed European children from early childhood into adolescence. Researchers repeatedly collected data on the participants’ health, weight, diet, physical activity, sleep, screen use and living environment.

A child’s entire day affects wellbeing

A study published in the International Journal of Obesity examined how children’s wellbeing was associated with three daily habits: physical activity, sleep and screen time.

The analysis covered 7,359 observations of European children aged two to 16. The data was collected over six years in three rounds of the study. Researchers assessed how closely the children followed age-specific recommendations for physical activity, sleep and screen time.

Children who followed the recommendations less often had lower levels of psychosocial wellbeing. The association was stronger among boys and among children and adolescents who were overweight or obese. Weight was assessed using body mass index and waist circumference. Both measures affected the strength of the association between activity, sleep, screen time and wellbeing.

Because the study was observational, it can describe associations that developed over a longer period but cannot show that one factor directly causes another.

“Physical activity, sleep and screen time form one whole in a child’s day. If screens take up a large part of the evening, sleep time may decrease. Insufficient sleep, in turn, affects energy, mood and the desire to be active. When supporting a child’s health, it is therefore worth looking at the entire daily schedule rather than just one habit,” Veidebaum said.

Psychosocial wellbeing refers to a child’s emotional and social state. It is influenced by relationships with family and friends, the school environment, self-esteem and everyday ability to cope.

The findings suggest that the daily pattern combining physical activity, sleep and screen use may be particularly important for the wellbeing of children who are overweight or obese.

“A child who is overweight may experience more physical and social obstacles when being active. At the same time, regular activity supports self-confidence, social interaction and a sense of wellbeing. Suitable activities should give the child a sense of success and take their abilities and interests into account,” Veidebaum said.

Slightly more than half of Estonian adolescents exercise regularly

The results of the international study can be compared with the situation in Estonia using the National Institute for Health Development’s annual population health report.

According to the 2022 schoolchildren’s health behaviour survey cited in the report, 57 percent of Estonian 11 to 15 year olds took part at least twice a week in training sessions, sports, dance or another active hobby group.