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Smoking and alcohol experimentation and less structured eating timing at ages 10-12 are shared determinants of shorter sleep and higher BMI percentile at age 14 in adolescents.

In a Scottish birth cohort (n=4157), having tried smoking or alcohol at age 12 and being allowed to eat whenever the child wanted at age 10 were meaningfully associated with both shorter sleep duration and higher BMI percentile at age 14. These associations were independent of other covariates, suggesting shared modifiable determinants for sleep and weight outcomes.

Last updated: Aug 9, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Shared Behavioural Determinants of Short Sleep and Obesity From Childhood to Adolescence: An Analyses of Growing Up in Scotland Birth Cohort 1.

observational

Gale EL, Cecil JE, Williams AJ · Pediatric obesity (2026)

Participants: 4157
Duration: 4 years (ages 10-14)
Intervention: Observational analysis of behavioural determinants (smoking, alcohol, eating timing) at ages 10-12
Outcome: Sleep duration and BMI percentile at age 14
Effect Size: Standardized beta ≥ 0.10 or ≤ -0.10 (meaningful association threshold)
Population: Adolescents from the Growing Up in Scotland Birth Cohort 1, aged 10-14 years (50.2% male)

Result: In a Scottish birth cohort (n=4157), having tried smoking or alcohol at age 12 and being allowed to eat whenever the child wanted at age 10 were meaningfully associated with both shorter sleep duration and higher BMI percentile at age 14. These associations were independent of other covariates, suggesting shared modifiable determinants for sleep and weight outcomes.

PubMed: 42554343DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.70142

Mechanism Graph

Risk-taking behaviours (smoking, alcohol) may disrupt sleep and eating routines
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Unstructured eating timing may lead to poor dietary choices and weight gain
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These behaviours may share underlying neurobiological or psychosocial pathways
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Result: Shorter sleep and higher BMI percentile at age 14

Limitations

  • ⚠Observational design, cannot establish causality
  • ⚠Sleep duration and behavioural determinants were self-reported (main-carer or child), potential reporting bias
  • ⚠Only assessed at specific ages (10, 12, 14), may not capture dynamic changes
  • ⚠Confounding by unmeasured variables (e.g., family environment, genetics) possible

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the shared determinants of short sleep and obesity?▼

Having tried smoking and alcohol at age 12, and being allowed to eat whenever the child wanted at age 10, were associated with both shorter sleep and higher BMI percentile at age 14.

How large was the study sample?▼

The study included 4157 participants from the Growing Up in Scotland Birth Cohort 1.

Were there determinants that affected only sleep or only BMI?▼

Yes, poorer emotional wellbeing and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption were associated with shorter sleep only, while maternal BMI was associated with BMIp only.

What is the implication for interventions?▼

Targeting risk-taking behaviours and eating routines may help improve both sleep and weight outcomes in adolescence.

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References

  1. 1.Gale EL, Cecil JE, Williams AJ. "Shared Behavioural Determinants of Short Sleep and Obesity From Childhood to Adolescence: An Analyses of Growing Up in Scotland Birth Cohort 1.." Pediatric obesity, 2026. PMID: 42554343 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.70142
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.