Obesity status of Kazakh children and adolescents in Xinjiang agricultural and pastoral areas and its correlation with lifestyle / 中国儿童保健杂志

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To understand the obesity status of Kazakh children and adolescents in the agricultural and pastoral areas of Xinjiang and its association with lifestyle, so as to provide reference and help for maintaining good body shape and health intervention for Kazakh children and adolescents in agricultural and pastoral areas. 【Methods】 From April to June 2022, 6 242 Kazakh children and adolescents aged 10 - 20 years were tested for obesity and surveyed by lifestyle questionnaires using stratified whole-group sampling in the farming and herding areas of Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture and Altay Region, Xinjiang. χ2 test and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze data. 【Results】 The obesity detection rate of Kazakh children and adolescents in Xinjiang farming and herding areas was 18.71%, with higher rates in boys (22.24%) compared to girls (15.12%), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =52.04, P<0.01). Significant differences were observed in the obesity rates based on grade level, fruit consumption frequency, screen time of television, feeling hopeful for the future, fatigue, loneliness, and sadness (χ2 =24.29, 4.61, 694.51, 7.15, 10.33, 6.51, 8.07, P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that female students (OR=0.63, 95%CI 0.56 - 0.69) and students who felt hopeful about the future (OR=0.96, 95%CI 0.94 - 0.99) were protective factors against obesity (P<0.05); while high school and lower grades (senior high school OR=1.38, 95%CI 1.24 - 1.57; junior high school OR=1.82, 95%CI 1.58 - 2.06; primary school OR=2.67, 95%CI 2.33 - 2.99), fruit consumption ≥1time/d (OR=1.07, 95%CI 1.03 - 1.16), watching TV ≥2h/d (OR=1.07, 95%CI 1.02 - 1.17), frequent feeling of fatigue (OR=1.07, 95%CI 1.03 - 1.12), loneliness (OR=1.08, 95%CI 1.02~1.19) and sadness (OR= 1.09, 95%CI 1.04 - 1.14) of students were risk factors for the development of obesity (P<0.05). 【Conclusions】 The obesity rate of Kazakh children and adolescents in the agricultural and pastoral areas of Xinjiang is high and closely associated with lifestyle. Therefore, it is crucial to improve unhealthy lifestyles in order to reduce obesity and promote the physical and mental well-being of this population.