A recent study conducted in Singapore aimed to identify the lifestyle patterns of children aged 10 years old and the factors that may influence these patterns. The study, called the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) study, surveyed a large sample of children to better understand their habits and behaviors.
The results of the study revealed that there are three main lifestyle patterns among children in Singapore. The first pattern, labeled the “active” pattern, consisted of children who engaged in higher levels of physical activity and had healthier diets. The second pattern, termed the “sedentary” pattern, included children who spent more time on sedentary activities such as screen time and had poorer diets. The third pattern, known as the “mixed” pattern, encompassed children who exhibited a combination of both active and sedentary behaviors.
Several factors were found to be associated with these lifestyle patterns. Children with higher levels of parental education and those from higher socio-economic backgrounds were more likely to follow the active pattern. On the other hand, children with overweight or obese parents were more likely to exhibit the sedentary pattern. Additionally, children with higher levels of physical activity tended to have a lower body mass index (BMI) and a healthier diet.
These findings highlight the importance of parental influence and socio-economic factors on a child’s lifestyle choices. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals looking to promote healthy behaviors among children in Singapore. By understanding the correlates of lifestyle patterns, interventions can be tailored to address specific risk factors and encourage healthier lifestyles from a young age.
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