Adolescents In South China Research Articles

Body mass index was linked with multi-cardiometabolic abnormalities in Chinese children and adolescents: a community-based survey

BackgroundEvidence on how body mass index (BMI) influence cardiometabolic health remains sparse in Chinese children and adolescents, especially in south China. We aim to investigate the effect of overweight and/or obesity on high blood pressure (HBP), dyslipidemia, elevated serum uric acid (SUA) and their clustering among children and adolescents in an island in South China.MethodsUsing multi-stage cluster sampling method, 1577 children and adolescents aged 7–18 in Hainan province, south China, participated in the survey. The association between body mass index and cardiometabolic indexes were explored. Overweight and obesity were classified according to criteria of World Health Organization for children and adolescents aged 5 to 19. Restricted cubic spline models were used to examine the possible non-linear association between BMI and cardiometabolic profiles. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to examine the effect size of BMI on cardiometabolic disorders including HBP, elevated SUA and dyslipidemia. Comorbidity of at least two cardiometabolic abnormalities (HBP, dyslipidemia, elevated SUA) was defined as clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors.ResultsComparing with normal weight and underweight subjects, overweight/obese youths had higher levels of BP, SUA, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein but lower level of high-density lipoprotein. Overweight/obese youth had higher risk of dyslipidemia (OR:2.89, 95%CI: 1.65–5.06), HBP (OR:2.813, 95%CI: 1.20–6.59) and elevated SUA (OR: 2.493, 95%CI: 1.45–4.27), respectively, than their counterparts. The sex-, age-adjusted prevalence of abnormalities clustering was 32.61% (95% CI: 20.95% to 46.92%) in overweight/obesity group, much higher than in the under/normal weight group (8.85%, 95%CI: 7.44% to 10.48%).ConclusionExcess adiposity increased the risk of elevated serum uric acid, serum lipids, blood pressure and their clustering among children and adolescents in south China.

Association of genetic and environmental factors with dental caries among adolescents in south China: A cross-sectional study.

The objective of this study was to investigative genetic and environmental factors that contribute to caries susceptibility among adolescents in south China. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1055 adolescents aged 13-14 years old in south China. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) was used to identify caries. Environmental variables were analysed by regression models. Twenty-three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 14 genes were identified from saliva samples. Regression analysis was used for the evaluation of effects of SNP markers using the minor allele as the effect allele. Our results suggest that gender, Cariostat score and Plaque Index were associated with dental caries. After the adjustment by age and gender, the G allele in AMBN (rs13115627) nominally was a protective factor for caries under additive model (P=0.028; OR=0.782; 95% CI, 0.627-0.974). However, the association did not meet the Bonferroni correction significance cut-off for multiple testing. Gender, Cariostat score and Plaque Index were associated with dental caries in this population. No selected SNPs showed a significant association with dental caries under either additive model or dominance model.

Clinicopathological features and EBV infection status of lymphoma in children and adolescents in South China: a retrospective study of 662 cases

BackgroundThe clinicopathological features and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection status of lymphoma in children and adolescents in South China is under-researched. South China is a well-known high-incidence area of EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.MethodsA cohort of 662 consecutive children and adolescents’ lymphomas was retrospectively analyzed and Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNAs (EBERs) in situ hybridization was performed to detect the EBV infection.ResultsThe majority (501/662, 75.7%) of lymphomas in children and adolescents was Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). One hundred sixty one cases (24.3%) were Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Of the NHL, precursor cell lymphoma, mature B-cell lymphoma and peripheral T/NK-cell lymphoma accounted for 32.0%, 41.1% and 26.9% respectively. The five common subtypes were lymphoblastic lymphoma (32.0%), Burkitt lymphoma (BL) (21.0%), anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) (14.2%), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (13.8%) and extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL) (6.2%). EBV infection was detected in 58.9% classical Hodgkin lymphomas (CHLs), 21.4% mature B-cell lymphomas and 52.4% peripheral T/NK-cell lymphomas. Moreover, EBV was associated with high grade NHL including ENKTCL (100.0%), BL (30.5%) and DLBCL (17.6%).ConclusionThe high proportion of peripheral T/NK-cell lymphomas in children and adolescents in South China are presented in this study and compared to western countries due to the high percentage of ENKTCL. ENKTCL is firmly associated with EBV infection, while more than half of HL, a portion of BL and DLBCL are related to EBV infection. This study conclusively demonstrates that EBV infection is more prevalent in children and adolescents with lymphomas in South China compared to western countries.

Sedentary Behavior Is Independently Related to Fat Mass among Children and Adolescents in South China.

We aim to explore the independent associations of sedentary behaviors (SB) with body mass distribution among Chinese children. Data on the screen-based sedentary time (television viewing and computer use) and doing homework, physical activities and dietary intake of 1586 Chinese children (50.3% girls) aged 7–15 years were obtained through validated questionnaires. Skin-fold thickness, body height, and weight were measured to calculate percent body fat (%BF), fat mass index (FMI), and fat-free mass index (FFMI). Parental characteristics were collected by questionnaires. Among girls, time of SB (screen time or doing homework) was positively related to %BF, FMI, and FFMI (p < 0.03) after adjusting for maternal overweight, the average annual income of family, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity energy expenditure, and energy intake: Girls in the highest tertile of screen time/homework had 16.7%/23.3% higher relative FMI and 2.9%/2.9% higher relative FFMI than girls in the lowest tertile. Among boys, screen time was positively associated with FFMI (p < 0.003), but not related to %BF and FMI (p > 0.09), while time of doing homework was positively related to %BF and FMI (p = 0.03). Sedentary behaviors might be positively and independently related to fat mass among Chinese children, and were more pronounced in girls.

Cross-sectional association between protein intake and body composition among children and adolescents in South China

Cross-sectional association between protein intake and body composition among children and adolescents in South China

Overweight and obesity status among children and adolescents in South China and its characteristics

Overweight and obesity status among children and adolescents in South China and its characteristics

Cross-sectional association of grain and tubers with body composition among children and adolescents in South China

Introduction: Studies of Western countries revealed that dietary carbohydrate seemed to be relevant to obesity. However, studies about the relevance of foods rich in carbohydrate among Chinese children on their body composition are lacking. Our aim was to investigate whether the consumption of grain and tubers is associated with body composition in Chinese children. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional valid data from 2006 children (52.3% boys) aged 7—18 years in South China were analysed. Weight, height and skinfold thickness were measured. Body mass index, body fat percentage (%BF), fat mass index (FMI) and fat free mass index (FFMI) were calculated. International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria was used to define overweight and obesity. Based on food frequency questionnaire, the daily consumption of grain and tubers was calculated. Prevalence of overweight and obesity, %BF, FMI and FFMI were compared between low/median/high food consumption groups using chi-square tests or Wilcoxon signed rank tests for each age group, respectively. Results: %BF and FMI were higher in girls than those in boys. Boys (402.4 g/d) consumed more grain than girls (344.8 g/d) (p < 0.0001), and children aged 13—15 years consumed more grain than the other age groups. Similar associations were not observed for tubers. There was no significant difference of overweight/obesity prevalence between low/median/high food consumption groups. Among children aged 13—15 years, %BF, FMI and FFMI were significantly different between grain consumption groups (p < 0.0001), and children consumed the least servings of grain had highest %BF and FMI. Moreover, FMI and FFMI were significantly different between tubers consumption groups among 10—12 years group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Among Chinese children, consumption of grain and tubers seems to be correlated with obesity, and this relevance is primarily for body composition among older children.

Cross-sectional association between eating behaviours and body composition among children and adolescents in South China

Cross-sectional association between eating behaviours and body composition among children and adolescents in South China

Cross-Sectional Association between Overall Diet Quality and Body Composition among Children and Adolescents in South China

Cross-Sectional Association between Overall Diet Quality and Body Composition among Children and Adolescents in South China

Parental Migration, Self-Efficacy and Cigarette Smoking among Rural Adolescents in South China

ObjectivesMillions of children and adolescents in rural China are left behind as their parents move away for work. Little is known about the impact of parental migration on their smoking and self-efficacy. This study explores the associations among parental migration, self-efficacy and smoking.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among middle school students in Liangying Township, Guangdong, China. Socio-demographic and parental migration characteristics, as well as adolescent past 30-day smoking and self-efficacy level were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to estimate the risk of parental migration features for smoking and self-efficacy. Hierarchical regression was fitted to examine the relationship among parental migration, self-efficacy and smoking.Results2609 students (93.4%) participated into the study, 44% of who were with parents who had ever been or were currently migrating. Smoking prevalence was 9.7% in boys and 0.9% in girls. Paternal migration was protective for adolescent smoking, whilst maternal migration increased the risk. Both paternal and maternal migration had adverse effects on self-efficacy, a strong influencing factor for smoking. No significant relationship was found between other migration features and smoking and self-efficacy. The smoking risk of maternal migration was partly mediated by self-efficacy. There were no differences between boys and girls.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that adolescents whose mothers migrate from home to work elsewhere are at elevated risk for smoking. Improving self-efficacy may be an effective means to keep adolescents away from smoking, especially for those with maternal migration.

Nutritional status and its relationship with blood pressure among children and adolescents in South China

The present study measures the nutritional status and the blood pressure to assess their relationship in a group of children and adolescents in the Hainan province, China. A total of 5,456 students aged 7 to 18 years were recruited from 10 public schools in Hainan province of South China during the period March 2009 to December 2009. Height, weight, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were measured by health-care professionals. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and used to define thinness, overweight, and obesity according to the existing standards. Prevalence of thinness, overweight, obesity, pre-hypertension, and hypertension was computed, and logistical regression model was used to examine the association of BMI with elevated blood pressure. A high prevalence of thinness was observed in male and female children and adolescents (34.0% and 34.3%, respectively). The percentage of overweight and obesity was 2.7% and 1.3%, respectively. Pre-hypertension and hypertension were detected in 3.9% and 3.3% children and adolescents, respectively. Multivariate logistical regression analysis showed that obesity was positively associated with both pre-hypertension and hypertension, with adjusted odds ratio of 1.44 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08-1.92, P = 0.014) and 2.00 (95%CI = 1.53-2.60, P < 0.001) compared to normal weight students. Overweight was also associated with pre-hypertension and hypertension. However, no significant association between thinness and pre-hypertension and hypertension was found. In conclusion, this study showed that thinness, especially mild thinness, was a major public health problem among children and adolescents in Hainan province of South China. Overweight and obesity were strongly associated with pre-hypertension and hypertension among studied students.

An epidemiological study of sleep quality in adolescents in South China: a school‐based study

This study explored the prevalence of disturbed sleep and investigated its distribution characteristics and associated factors in adolescents in South China. Junior middle school and senior high school students (n = 1221) were recruited from schools in Shanghai, China. Students completed a questionnaire using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and factors associated with disturbed sleep. The prevalence of a tendency towards poor sleep was 34.32% [95% confidence interval (CI): 31.66-36.98] with no significant difference between genders. This tendency increased with age, yielding a significant group effect (P < 0.01). In middle school and high school, the propensity towards poor sleep was 31.34% (95% CI: 28.29-34.39) and 42.22% (95% CI: 36.92-47.52) respectively. The factors associated with poor sleep were more television viewing during weekdays [odds ratio (OR): 1.56, CI: 1.36-1.71], more frequent computer/Internet use (OR: 1.25, CI: 1.08-1.39), earlier school starting time (OR: 1.12, CI: 1.07-1.28), and more time on homework during weekdays (OR: 1.78, CI: 1.51-1.98) and weekends (OR: 1.35, CI: 1.21-1.52) A tendency towards poor sleep is common in adolescents in South China and its incidence increases with age. The factors associated with this phenomenon indicate that poor sleep in adolescents could be improved, at least partly, by reducing the use of visual technologies and by changing school timetables.

An epidemiologic study of irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents and children in South China: a school‐based study

To explore the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among school-aged children in South China, and identify distribution characteristics and contributing factors. Primary, middle and high school students (n= 2013) were recruited from schools in Shanghai. Students completed two questionnaires, one for IBS in adolescents and children and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). (1) The prevalence of IBS among students was 20.72% and the incidence increased with age. (2) Several physical factors and overuse of analgesics were significantly associated with IBS. (3) The prevalence of anxiety disorder was higher in older students, and in females vs. males. Students with IBS tended towards anxiety-related emotional disorders (38.14% vs. 18.96%). (4) IBS students scored higher in all SCARED categories. Within IBS students, those who frequently sought medical care reported higher scores in the somatization/panic category. (1) Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder among adolescents in South China and prevalence increases with age. (2) Gastrointestinal infection, abuse of analgesics and psychological factors might be related to the incidence of IBS. (3) The tendency towards anxiety-related emotional disorders also increases with age, suggesting a possible correlation with IBS and underlining the importance of positive family and school environments. Although the prevalence of anxiety-related emotional disorders was higher in females than males, this trend was not correlated with the occurrence of IBS.