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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 4/2014

01-08-2014

Family and Neighborhood Correlates of Overweight and Obesogenic Behaviors Among Chinese Children

Authors: Bai Li, Peymanè Adab, Kar Keung Cheng

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 4/2014

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Abstract

Background

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing rapidly in China. However, research on its modifiable environmental determinants to inform preventive interventions is limited.

Purpose

This paper reports a cross-sectional study that aimed to identify family and neighborhood environmental correlates of overweight and related health behavior among Chinese primary school-aged children in urban areas.

Methods

Routinely collected height and weight data of third year students (8–10 years) from four primary schools in socioeconomically distinct districts of two southern cities of China was obtained. Using the WHO 2007 reference values, children were categorized into overweight/obese or non-overweight. Parents of the same children completed a questionnaire, comprising mainly validated questions, about family and perceived neighborhood environments, parental physical activity habits, and the child's dietary and physical activity patterns. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between these environmental factors and childhood overweight or whether or not the child engages in at least 1 h daily moderate to vigorous physical activity. Multiple linear regression analysis was undertaken to examine the association between environmental factors and the frequency of consumption of unhealthy snacks, fruit, and vegetables in children.

Results

Data on 497 children were available. Children who were mainly cared for by their grandparents were over twice as likely to be overweight/obese (adjusted OR 2.03; 95 % CI 1.19–3.47) and to have higher consumption of unhealthy snacks and sugar-added drinks (B = 2.13, 95 % CI 0.87–3.40), compared with children who were mainly cared for by their parents or other adult. Children who lived with at least two grandparents in the household were at higher risk for being overweight/obese than children who lived without any grandparent (adjusted OR 1.72; 95 % CI 1.00–2.94). No evidence was found for associations between perceived neighborhood environmental characteristics and child's weight status and obesogenic behaviors in this study.

Conclusions

Children's family environment, particularly the living-in grandparents, should be targeted in future preventive interventions among China's southern urban populations.
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Metadata
Title
Family and Neighborhood Correlates of Overweight and Obesogenic Behaviors Among Chinese Children
Authors
Bai Li
Peymanè Adab
Kar Keung Cheng
Publication date
01-08-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-013-9333-y

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