The associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with self-rated health in Chinese children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to analyze the independent and joint associations of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with self-rated health (SRH) among Chinese children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional data on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), school-based PA, extracurricular physical activity (EPA), screen time (ST), homework time, and SRH were assessed through a self-report questionnaire in the sample of 4227 Chinese children and adolescents aged 13.04 ± 2.62 years. Binary logistic regression was used to compare gender differences in PA, SB, and SRH among children and adolescents, and analyses were adjusted for age and ethnicity. RESULTS: In independent associations, boys and girls engaging in ≥60 min/day of MVPA and >1 hour/day of EPA reported optimal SRH. Only boys who participated in >1 hour/day of school-based PA were significantly more likely to have optimal SRH (OR = 1.49, 95%CI = 1.19-1.86). Only girls who had ≤2 hours/day of ST were significantly associated with optimal SRH (weekdays: OR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.10-1.74; weekends: OR = 1.40, 95%CI = 1.14-1.71; whole week: OR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.16-1.73). In joint associations, regardless of SB recommendation, meeting PA recommendation was significantly associated with optimal SRH in both boys (meet PA and SB recommendations, OR = 1.61, 95%CI = 1.03-2.50; meet PA but not SB recommendations, OR = 2.40, 95%CI = 1.57-3.65) and girls (meet PA and SB recommendations, OR = 3.72, 95%CI = 2.08-6.65; meet PA but not SB recommendation, OR = 4.27, 95%CI = 2.09-8.75). CONCLUSION: Increased PA and reduced SB were positively associated with optimal SRH in Chinese children and adolescents. Notably, lower ST positively influenced only girls' SRH. Meeting PA recommendation is more impactful than meeting SB recommendation for improving SRH in Chinese children and adolescents. Future studies could explore these associations using objective measures of PA and SB in China.

Associations between socioeconomic status and screen time among children and adolescents in China: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status (SES) is an important determinant of screen time (ST) in children and adolescents, however, the association between SES and ST is not fully understood in China. This study aimed to investigate the association between SES and ST (operationalized as meeting the ST guidelines; no more than 2 hours per day) in Chinese children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 2,955 Chinese children and adolescents aged 8 to 17(53.4% girls) were used. SES was measured using indicators of parental education and perceived family wealth. ST was assessed with detailed items from the Health Behaviour School-aged Children survey questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and a Chi-square test were used to report the sample characteristics and analyse ST differences across different sociodemographic groups. A binary logistic regression was then applied to analyse the association of SES indicators with ST in children and adolescents. RESULTS: Overall, 25.3% of children and adolescents met the ST guidelines. Children and adolescents with higher parental education levels were 1.84 [95% CI 1.31-2.57; father] and 1.42 [95% CI 1.02-1.98; mother] times more likely to meet the ST guidelines than those with lower parental education levels. Associations between SES and ST varied across sex and grade groups. Moreover, the associations of SES with ST on weekdays and weekends were different. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the association between SES and ST in children and adolescents, highlighting the importance of targeting children and adolescents with low SES levels as an intervention priority. Based on our findings, specific interventions can be tailored to effectively reduce ST. Future studies are encouraged to use longitudinal or interventional designs to further determine the association between SES and ST.

Associations between socioeconomic status and risk of obesity and overweight among Chinese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: In China, the threat of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents is developing quickly. It may be possible to lower the risk of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents by understanding the factors that drive these conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between SES and risk of obesity and overweight among children and adolesecnts in China's provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. METHODS: Chinese children and adolescents (n = 2,746; 46.3% boys) were recruited using multistage sampling. SES was measured using self-reported questionnaires, the specific indicators were parental education, perceived family wealth, and Family Affluence Scale II. Height and weight were measured and used to calculate body mass index (BMI, categorized into obesity or overweight). The definition of obesity or overweight was based on the Chinese standard "Screening for obesity and overweight among school-age children and adolescents". Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and a Chi-square test were used to report the sample characteristics and analyse BMI differences across different sociodemographic groups. A binary logistic regression was then applied to analyse the association of SES indicators with BMI in children and adolescents. RESULTS: Overall, 22.5% of children and adolescents were obese or overweight. Participants with medium and high maternal education levels were 1.48 [95% CI 1.15-1.91] and 1.47 [95% CI 1.03-2.11] times more likely to be obese/overweight. Girls with medium maternal education levels were 1.70[95% CI 1.21-2.40] times more likely to be obese/overweight. For boys, no association was observed. Junior middle school students with medium maternal education levels were 1.51[95% CI 1.10-2.07] times more likely to be obese/overweight. Participants with medium or high FAS, perceived family wealth, or paternal education levels were not associated with obesity/overweight. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicated a positive association between SES and risk of overweight/obesity in girls, suggesting that maternal education level may have a substantial impact on future prevention efforts for these conditions in girls. To increase the effectiveness of interventions, longitudinal studies are necessary to better understand the causal association between SES and obesity/overweight.

Effect of Mobile Phone Addiction on Physical Exercise in University Students: Moderating Effect of Peer Relationships.

OBJECTIVE: The influence of mobile phone addiction (MPA) on physical exercise in university students was explored, and peer relationships were introduced as a moderating variable. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was adopted, and an online survey questionnaire was conducted to investigate two universities in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, and Chongzuo City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. A total of 4959 university students completed the questionnaire. Measurement tools included the Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale, the Physical Activity Rating Scale, and the Peer Rating Scale of university students. RESULTS: University students scored 39.322 ± 15.139 for MPA and 44.022 ± 7.735 for peer relationships, with 87.8% of their physical exercise, in terms of exercise grade, being classified as medium or low intensity. The MPA of the university students was negatively correlated with peer relationships (r = -0.377, p < 0.001) and physical exercise behavior (r = -0.279, p < 0.001). The moderating effect of peer relationships on the MPA-physical exercise behavior relationship was significant (ΔR2 = 0.03, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The physical exercise of university students was at a medium or low intensity. The more serious the university students' addiction to mobile phones was, the lower the amount of physical exercise. The physical activity of males was higher than that of females. MPA and peer relationships were the limiting factors of the physical exercise behavior of university students. Under the lower effect of peer relationship regulation, MPA had a greater negative impact on physical exercise behavior. The data from this research can provide theoretical support to improve the participation of university students in physical activities.

Results from the China 2022 report card on physical activity for children and adolescents.

Background/Objective: Regular physical activity (PA) is beneficial to young people's health and development. In order to provide nationally representative and internationally comparable evidence on youth PA, China has participated in Global Matrix 2.0 and 3.0. The purpose of this study is to report the updated results of China's Report Card on PA for Children and Adolescents. Methods: The grades were assigned by results derived from the PA and Fitness in China--The Youth Study (PAFCTYS), conducted from October to December in 2020. The data from PAFCTYS 2020 included a nationally representative sample of Chinese school-aged children (n = 133,006, boys: 49.6%, aged 9-17 years). Self-report questionnaires were completed by the sampled students, their parents/guardians (n = 133,006), and physical education teachers (n = 1036) from each sampled school respectively. Results: The grades of China 2022 Report Card are Overall PA (C), Organized Sport Participation (F), Active Play (C-), Active Transportation (C), Sedentary behaviors (C), Physical Fitness (INC), Family and Peers (C-), School (D), Community and Environment (D-), and Government (D). Conclusion: Levels of PA among Chinese youth were low and most young people were below the recommended guidelines, although the grade of Overall PA has been improved since the modified benchmark. Prevalence of sedentary behaviors remained high. Interventions and policies at the community and environment level should be encouraged to promote PA and reduce sedentary behaviors. In addition, national policies on young people's PA should be advocated widely to ensure the policies can be transferred into action.

Chinese college students COVID-19 phobia and negative moods: Moderating effects of physical exercise behavior.

Objective: We investigated the effects of COVID-19 fear on negative moods among college students, and assessed the efficacy of physical exercise behavior as a moderator variable. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Students from three colleges and universities in Shangqiu City, Henan Province and Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province were enrolled in this study, which was performed during the COVID-19 pandemic using an online questionnaire. A total of 3,133 college students completed the questionnaire. Measurement tools included the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S), Depression-Anxiety-Stress Self-Rating Scale (DASS), and the Physical Activity Behavior Scale (PARS-3). Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rates of depression, anxiety, and stressful negative moods among college students were 35.5, 65.5, and 10.95%, respectively; there was a positive correlation between COVID-19 fear and negative moods among college students (r = 0.479, p < 0.001), which was negatively correlated with physical exercise behavior (r = -0.4, p < 0.001); the regulating effects of physical exercise behavior were significant (ΔR2 = 0.04, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The rate of negative moods among college students is high, and the fear for COVID-19 is one of the key factors that lead to negative moods. Physical exercise can modulate the impact of COVID-19 fear among college students on negative moods. Studies should elucidate on mental health issues among different populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current Status and Correlation of Physical Activity and Tendency to Problematic Mobile Phone Use in College Students.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of problematic mobile phone use on college students' physical activity and their relationships. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3980 college students from three universities in Jiangsu province by random cluster sampling. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short (IPAQ-SF) measured college students' physical activity. The Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale for College Students (MPATS) measured problematic mobile phone use tendencies. College students' physical activity was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short (IPAQ-SF), and the Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale measured their mobile phone addiction tendency for College Students (MPATS). RESULTS: (1) The proportions of the low-, medium-, and high-intensity physical activity were 83.5%, 10.7%, and 5.8%, respectively, with gender differences; The score of problematic mobile phone use tendency was 38.725 ± 15.139. (2) There were significant differences in problematic mobile phone use tendency among college students with different physical activity intensity (F = 11.839, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.007). (3) The level of physical activity was significantly correlated with the tendency of problematic mobile phone use (r = -0.173, p < 0.001). (4) Physical activity of college students could significantly predict the tendency of problematic mobile phone use (F (3,3605) = 11.296, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The physical activity of college students was mainly moderate to low intensity, while the tendency of problematic mobile phone use was high. College students' physical activity level was one of the important constraints of problematic mobile phone use tendency.

Associations between socioeconomic status and physical activity: A cross-sectional analysis of Chinese children and adolescents.

Objectives: Although socioeconomic status (SES) has been shown to be an important determinant of physical activity (PA) in adults, the association in children and adolescents remains less consistent based on evidence from western developed countries. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to investigate associations between SES and PA among Chinese children and adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a self-reported questionnaire in China. The multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used, and 2,955 children and adolescents (8-17 years old, 53.4% girls) were enrolled in this study. SES was assessed by measuring parental education levels, perceived family wealth, and Family Affluence Scale II (FAS II). PA was assessed by reliable and valid items from the Health Behavior School-aged Children Surveillance questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to report sample characteristics, including demographic characteristics, levels of PA, and SES. The Chi-square test was applied to analyze the differences of PA in gender and school period. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association between SES and PA among children and adolescents. Results: Overall, 10.4% of children and adolescents accumulated moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at least 60 min per day. Boys were more physically active than girls (14.1% vs. 7.2%, p < 0.001). Higher socioeconomic status was positively associated with higher physical activity levels among children and adolescents, especially using FAS and mother education level as SES measures. The association between SES and PA varied by gender and grade group, and the effects of SES are also different on weekdays and weekends. Conclusion: This study found socioeconomic disparities in PA among Chinese children and adolescents, and showed the importance of targeting children and adolescents with low SES intervention priority. Based on these research findings, it is suggested that SES, especially for FAS and mother education level, should be considered when designing and implementing the promotion of regular PA in children and adolescents. Health policymakers may use this information to develop interventions to reduce health inequalities among children and adolescents in the future.

Physical Fitness, Exercise Behaviors, and Sense of Self-Efficacy Among College Students: A Descriptive Correlational Study.

Background: Self-efficacy is an important component of the mental well-being of college students. This study aimed to evaluate the development and the correlation between physical fitness (PF), exercise behavior, and self-efficacy in college students. To examine whether PF in individual college students can predict self-efficacy, and whether exercise behavior mediates this relationship. Methods: This was an observational study of 1923 randomly selected college students (50.5% girl). Measures included the Physical Activity Rating Scale, the Self-Efficacy Scale, and PF testing. Results: Self-efficacy was weakly correlated to both PF (r = 0.240) and exercise behavior (r = 0.248). In regression analysis, PF explained 24.7% of the variance in self-efficacy, increasing to 29.4% when exercise behavior was considered. Therefore, the predictive effect of PF on self-efficacy is partially realized through healthy exercise behavior. Conclusion: Physical fitness can predict self-efficacy among college students, with exercise behavior being an important mediation of this relationship. Strategies to improve positive exercise behaviors and PF could improve students' self-efficacy and overall mental health.

Chinese College Students' Physical-Exercise Behavior, Negative Emotions, and Their Correlation during the COVID-19 Outbreak.

BACKGROUND: In the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of college students' physical exercise, the detection rate of negative emotions, and their correlation should attract extensive attention. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the correlation between college students' physical exercise and negative emotions. METHODS: Data were collected via a web-based cross-sectional survey. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 3118 college students from five universities in Shanghai in March 2022. In addition to sociodemographic information, measures included Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). The chi-squared test and logistic regression were used to analyze the differences and test the relative risk of negative emotions caused by different amounts of physical exercise. RESULTS: Most students (66.1%) performed a small amount of physical exercise. Male students' physical-exercise level was higher than female students', and the detection rate of negative emotions was lower than that of female students. Moderate and low physical-exercise levels were associated with a higher risk of depression (beta of 0.289 and 0.345, respectively) and anxiety (beta of 0.301 and 0.418) symptoms than high physical-exercise level. CONCLUSIONS: The anxiety symptoms of college students were significant during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The physical-exercise behavior of college students was closely related to negative emotions, and the weakening of physical-exercise behavior was one of the factors that induced negative emotions in college students.