SUNRISE Finland

More than 1,000 3- to 4-year-old children and their 1,500 caregivers participated in the SUNRISE Finland study between June 2022 and November 2023 in five cities and rural areas across Finland.

This study is part of the international SUNRISE study, which brings together more than 60 low-, middle-, and high-income countries worldwide. The SUNRISE study aims to determine the proportion of 3- and 4-year-old children in participating countries who meet the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour (including screen time), and sleep for early childhood. Secondary aims include assessing gross and fine motor skills, cognitive skills (working memory and inhibition), and the prevalence of overweight and obesity.

The SUNRISE Finland study further aims to identify factors associated with children’s movement behaviours at the societal, family, and individual levels. We focus on urban-rural differences, socioeconomic and environmental factors (such as greenness and blueness), family socioeconomic background, and differences between sexes. Additionally, we examine the role of parental mental health, family physical activity, and nature visits. The study also explores factors related to children's motor and cognitive skills, overweight/obesity, and psychosocial well-being.

The SUNRISE Finland study consists of a pilot study and a main study. The pilot study was conducted in early education and care centers in Southern Finland in early 2022. In the main study, more than 1,000 3- to 4-year-old children and their caregivers participated in Helsinki, Espoo, Turku, Kuopio, and Oulu (from both urban and rural early education and care centers) between June 2022 and November 2023.

The international SUNRISE study will provide the first global dataset on movement behaviours, motor skills, and cognitive skills in early childhood using standardized measurement methods across all participating countries. The SUNRISE Finland study enables Finland to contribute to this international effort while also generating country-specific evidence on factors influencing movement behaviours in young children. The study examines how individual, family, and societal factors relate to children’s movement behaviours, motor and cognitive skills, psychosocial well-being, and overweight/obesity.

The findings from this study will support efforts to promote healthy movement behaviours from an early age and ensure equal opportunities for all children to grow and develop in a healthy way.