Clustering of energy balance-related behaviours, sleep, and overweight among Finnish adolescents

Abstract

To examine how clusters of energy balance-related behaviours (EBRBs), including sleep related factors, were associated with overweight among adolescents. In Finland, 4262 adolescents, aged 13–15, participated in the cross-national Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. The adolescents completed questionnaires assessing EBRBs [sleep duration, discrepancy and quality, physical activity (PA), screen time, junk food, fruit, and vegetable intake] and height and weight. Clusters were identified with κ-means cluster analysis and their associations with overweight with logistic regression analyses. Common clusters for boys and girls were labelled “Healthy lifestyle” and “High screen time, unhealthy lifestyle”. In addition, the cluster “Low/moderate screen time, unhealthy lifestyle” was identified among boys, and the cluster “Poor sleep, unhealthy lifestyle” among girls. Only girls in the cluster “High screen time, unhealthy lifestyle” were at increased risk for overweight. Girls, whose EBRB was characterized by high screen time and low PA, but not with poor sleep, were at increased risk for overweight. Future studies should examine ways to promote PA among adolescent girls with high interest in screen-based activities.