Reading for pleasure in childhood and adolescent healthy behaviours: Longitudinal associations using the Millennium Cohort Study

Daisy Fancourt,Hei Wan Mak

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105889

Abstract

Leading a heathy lifestyle in adolescence is vital to individual health in later life. Drawing upon various existing theories, this study hypothesised that engagement in reading for pleasure may enhance healthy behaviours amongst young people. Data were analysed from 11,180 children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study and logistic regressions were used to examine the association between reading frequency at age 11 and health behaviours at age 14. Reading most days was associated with lower odds of trying a cigarette and alcohol and a higher likelihood of having two portions of fruit per day independent of confounding factors. However, spending more time reading was associated with less time spent engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Our findings suggest the importance of further studies exploring the potential health benefits of reading amongst young people.

Highlights

The establishment of a healthy lifestyle has its origin in early life and is a key contributor to health in later life (Ford et al, 2008)
This study extends the current literature by using a nationally representative data set – the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) to explore whether there is a longitudinal association between reading frequency at age 11 (when self-identity starts to develop and becomes more important in behavioural choices (Kronger, 2007)) and healthrelated behaviours at age 14; the age when children typically initiate substance use (NHS Digital, 2018b; NHS Digital, 2018c) and reduce their levels of fruit consumption and physical activity (Townsend et al, 2013; Cooke and Wardle, 2005; Nader et al, 2008; Trost et al, 2002)
Basic models adjusted only for gender and ethnicity showed that daily reading for pleasure at age 11 was associated with a 16% lower odds of trying a cigarette by the age of 14 (OR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.80–0.88) (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

The establishment of a healthy lifestyle has its origin in early life and is a key contributor to health in later life (Ford et al, 2008). In relation to health-impairing behaviours, research has provided evidence for the positive relationship between early substance use initiation and smoking, drinking, and drug using and later substance use problems (Dawson et al, 2008; DeWit et al, 2000; Hingson et al, 2006; Merline et al, 2004). There is a need to identify activities that help to promote healthy lifestyles in childhood and adolescence. Many studies have identified factors that predict both health-impairing and healthy behaviours in young people. Borrowing models from Stone et al (2012) and Degenhardt et al (2016) on the determinants of substance use, three domains can explain the health behaviours amongst young people: fixed markers of risk (e.g. gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status (SES)), contextual risk factors (e.g. aspects of the social and cultural environment), and individual characteristics and behaviours (e.g. young people's academic achievement, parent-child relationship, and children's mental and psychological well-being)

Methods

Results

Conclusion