Association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength: results from a sample of Chinese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Although sugar-sweetened beverage consumption has become an important and widespread concern, there are few studies on the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength in Chinese adolescents. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength in Chinese adolescents. METHODS: A stratified whole-group sampling method was used to survey 25,893 adolescents aged 13-15 years old in China for sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength for grip strength and standing long jump. The subjects' basic information, body mass index (BMI), and covariates were investigated. The association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength was analyzed by multivariate logisitc regression analysis. RESULTS: The proportions of Chinese adolescents who consumed sugar-sweetened beverage ≥ 3 times/week, 1-2 times/week, and < 1 time/week were 12.23%, 52.79%, and 34.98%, respectively. The differences in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency were statistically significant when compared across gender, parental education, duration of physical activity, snacks, and mode of commuting to school (χ2 values = 228.570, 51.422, 275.552, 3165.656, 10.988, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that overall Chinese adolescents with sugary drinks 1-2 times/week (OR = 1.207, 95% CI:1.132-1.287) and sugary drinks ≥ 3 times/week (OR = 1.771, 95% CI:1.611-1.947) were associated with lower muscle strength compared to sugary drinks < 1 time/week showed a positive association (P < 0.01). The same trend was found for boys and girls. CONCLUSION: Chinese adolescents' sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is common, and high-frequency sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with lower muscle strength. In the future, we should control the use of sugar-sweetened beverages and increase muscular strength training in Chinese adolescents to promote healthy growth.

Association between sugar-sweetened beverages and duration of physical exercise with psychological symptoms among Tibetan university students at high altitude.

Background: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and duration of physical exercise are strongly associated with physical health. Unfortunately, there are few studies focused on the association with psychological symptoms, let alone Tibetan university students at high altitudes in China. Methods: A stratified cluster sampling method was used to include 8,268 Tibetan university students aged 19-22 years in Qinghai and Tibet, both of which are high-altitude regions of China. Self-assessment questionnaires on SSBs, duration of physical exercise, and psychological symptoms were administered. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the associations among them. Results: The detection rate of psychological symptoms among Tibetan university students in high-altitude areas of China was 16.7%, with in girls (18.2%) higher than that in boys (14.8%), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 11.73, p < 0.01). The proportion of SSBs for university students ≤1 time/week, 2-5 times/week, and ≥ 6 times/week were 54.2, 24.3, and 21.5%, respectively. The proportion of duration of physical exercise for >60 min/d was only 5.4%. Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the SSBs ≤1 time/week group of university students, SSBs 2-5 times/week (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.24-1.70) and ≥ 6 times/week (OR = 3.06, 95% CI: 2.62-3.57) had an increased risk of psychological symptoms (p < 0.001). In the reference group, the risk of psychological symptoms was also significantly increased in the group of university students with duration of physical exercise >60 min/d (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.48-2.93), and the risk of psychological symptoms was also significantly increased in the group with duration of physical exercise <30 min/d (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.48-2.93). The risk of psychological symptoms was also significantly increased in the university students with the duration of physical exercise <30 min/d (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.48 ~ 2.93) group. Conclusion: SSBs and exercise time may be important influences on the psychological symptoms of Tibetan university students at high altitudes in China. This study has important implications for mental health planning in universities in highland areas and may also provide guidance for mental health interventions for Tibetan university students.

Association of Soyfoods or Soybean Products Consumption with Psychological Symptoms: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study of Chinese University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

There is a strong association between soyfoods or soybean product consumption and adolescent health, but there are few studies on the association between soyfoods or soybean product consumption and psychological symptoms among university students. To this end, this study investigated the association between soyfoods or soybean products consumption and psychological symptoms among Chinese university students and analyzed the association between them. A three-stage stratified whole-group sampling method was used to administer questionnaires on soyfoods or soybean products consumption and psychological symptoms to 7742 university students in China. Self-assessment questionnaires were also administered to confounding variables such as basic demographic information, family status, parental education, body mass index (BMI), and moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the association and differences between soyfoods or soybean products consumption and psychological symptoms. The proportion of Chinese university students' soyfoods or soybean products consumption in ≤one time/week, two-four times/week, and ≥five times/week were 38.81%, 40.24%, and 20.95%, respectively. University students' psychological symptoms problem detection rate was 16.22%. The detection rate of psychological symptoms was lower among university male students (14.75%) than female students (17.35%), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 9.525, p < 0.01). After adjusting for relevant covariates, students with soyfoods or soybean products consumption ≤one time/week (OR = 1.83, 95% CI:1.52, 2.21) had a higher risk of psychological symptoms compared to university students with soyfoods or soybean products consumption ≥five time/week (p < 0.01). During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese university students had lower consumption of soyfoods or soybean products and a higher detection rate of psychological symptoms. There was a negative association between soyfoods or soybean products consumption and psychological symptoms. Our study provides a scientific reference for the government and educational decision-making authorities and suggests that education on eating behavior and dietary guidance should be emphasized among university students in the future to maintain a reasonable consumption of soyfoods or soybean products for better physical and mental health development.

Associations between Physical Fitness Index and Body Mass Index in Tibetan Children and Adolescents in Different High-Altitude Areas: Based on a Study in Tibet, China.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between physical fitness index (PFI) and body mass index (BMI) of Tibetan children and adolescents in different high-altitude areas in Tibet, China. Methods: Using the stratified cluster sampling method, 3819 Tibetan children and adolescents from three different high-altitude areas including Nyingchi, Lhasa and Nagqu in the Tibet area of China were given grip strength, standing long jump, sitting forward bend, 50 m running and endurance running tests. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the physical fitness index in different high-altitude areas. In addition, the method of curve regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between PFI and BMI. Results: In general, the level of PFI in Nagqu, Tibet, China was lower than that in Nyingchi and Lhasa, and the levels of girls were generally lower than those of boys. The proportions of malnourished, normal, overweight and obese Tibetan boys in high-altitude areas were 11.8%, 79.7%, and 8.5%; those of girls were 3.3%, 82.3%, and 14.4%, respectively. The curve regression analysis showed that the model fitting of male Nyingchi, Lhasa, Nagqu and female Nyingchi, Lhasa, Nagqu were all significant (F values were 29.697, 34.709, 37.500, 9.123, 9.785, 6.939, p < 0.01). The relationship between BMI and PFI generally showed an inverted "U" curve relationship. Conclusion: The negative impact of overweight and obesity on physical fitness of Tibetan boys in high-altitude areas is significantly higher than that of girls, and the negative impact of overweight and obesity on physical fitness of boys in Lhasa and Nyingchi area is more significant than that in the Nagqu area. In the future, attention should be paid to Lhasa and the occurrence of overweight and obesity among Tibetan boys in Nyingchi area in order to prevent the sharp decline of physical fitness and promote the physical and mental development of Tibetan children and adolescents in high-altitude areas.