Lifestyle patterns in European preschoolers: Associations with socio‐demographic factors and body mass index

• DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.13079
• Publication Date: 2023-10-05T19:48:46Z
• Authors: Alexandra Descarp...; Lucinda Calas; Maxime Cornet; Barbara Heude; Marie‐Aline Charles; Demetris Avraam; Sonia Brescianini; Tim Cadman; Ahmed Elhakeem; Sílvia Fernández‐...; Jennifer R. Harris; Hazel Inskip; Jordi Julvez; Sabrina Llop; Katerina Margetaki; Silvia Maritano; Johanna Lucia Tho...; Theano Roumeliotaki; Theodosia Salika; Mikel Subiza‐Pérez; Marina Vafeiadi; Martine Vrijheid; John Wright; Tiffany Yang; Patricia Dargent‐...; Sandrine Lioret
• Keywords: Screen Time; Household income

Summary Background Energy balance‐related behaviours (EBRBs), that is, dietary intake, screen, outdoor play and sleep, tend to combine into ‘lifestyle patterns’, with potential synergistic influences on health. To date, studies addressing this theme mainly focused school children rarely accounted for a cross‐country perspective. Objectives We aimed at comparing lifestyle patterns among preschool‐aged across Europe, their associations socio‐demographic factors links body mass index (BMI). Methods Harmonized data 2–5‐year‐olds participating in nine European birth cohorts from the EU Child Cohort Network were used (EBRBs, socio‐demographics anthropometrics). Principal component analysis multivariable linear logistic regressions performed. Results The most consistent pattern identified was defined by least three of following EBRBs: discretionary consumption, high screen time, low time sleep duration. Consistently, low‐income households born mothers education level had higher scores compared socioeconomically advantaged counterparts. Furthermore, it associated BMI z‐scores Spanish Italian (β = 0.06, 95% CI [0.02; 0.10], both studies). Conclusion These findings may be valuable informing early multi‐behavioural interventions reducing social inequalities health scale.