Table 1 Description of variables used in the simulation study, for the i^th child at wave j

Study child’s BMI for age z-score

Continuous

bmiz_ij

Study child’s sleep problems

Categorical

0 = No sleep problems

1 = Sleep problems

sleep_prob_ij

Study child’s age

Continuous

Months

scage_ij ^a

Maternal education

Categorical

0 = Not completed

1 = Completed

m_education_i

Maternal smoking

Categorical

0 = No

1 = Yes

m_smoking_i

Study child’s sex

Categorical

0 = Male

1 = Female

sex_i

Study child’s birth weight

Continuous

Kilograms

birthweight_i

Maternal age at child birth

Continuous

Years

m_age_i