Associations of muscle-strengthening exercise with overweight, obesity, and depressive symptoms in adolescents: Findings from 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance system

Physical activity and cognitively difficulties in adolescents: A cross-sectional study of 13,677 participants

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve cognitive ability in adolescents. However, there is evidence for the impact of different PA characteristics (e.g., intensity, frequency, type). Therefore, we used national surveillance data to assess the impact of PA characteristics and cognitive impairment in adolescents.

METHODS

This study included 13,677 high school students from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The dependent variable was the presence of cognitive impairment due to physical, mental, or emotional problems. The independent variables related to PA were muscle strengthening, sports team participation, and physical education attendance. We used weighted binary logistic regression to evaluate the association of PA with cognitive impairment while controlling for demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

This study includes 13,677 participants. Ages range from 12 or younger (0.4 %) to 18 or older (11.9 %), with a nearly equal gender distribution (49.0 % female, 51.0 % male). Significant odds ratios (OR) include muscle strengthening for four days vs. 0 days (OR = 1.471) and sports team participation for 1 team vs. 0 teams (OR = 1.281). Males show higher ORs in muscle strengthening and sports participation, while females show significant ORs for one day (OR = 1.344) and six days (OR = 1.387) of muscle strengthening. Physical education attendance shows no significant differences across groups.

CONCLUSION

Approximately 55.6 % of adolescents were physically inactive, did not engage in muscle-strengthening exercises, did not participate in physical education attendance, and did not engage in sports teams. Participation in PE three or five times per week has a significant impact on cognitive impairment in adolescents.

Determinants of engagement in muscle-strengthening activities among children and adolescents: insights from a large-scale school-based study

Objectives

This study examined the sociodemographic factors associated with muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) participation in a sample of Chinese school-aged children.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2021, comprising 67,281 students from public schools in Shenzhen through a multistage sampling method. The survey collected data on MSE participation, sociodemographics, family and educational information, and other aspects. A three-level mixed multilevel effect model was performed to analyze the associations between the selected sociodemographic characteristics and MSE participation. Results were presented using odd ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

38.6% of participants met the MSE guidelines. In models of adherence to MSE guidelines and MSE days, boys were more likely to participate in MSE (OR = 1.31, 95%CI: 1.27-1.36, p < 0.001) than girls. Compared to primary school students, junior middle school students (OR = 1.60, 95%CI: 1.47-1.74, p < 0.001) were more likely to participate in MSE, whereas high school students (OR = 0.61, 95%CI: 0.51-0.73, p < 0.001) participated less frequently. Socioeconomic status (both OR = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.01-1.13, p < 0.001) was positively associated with MSE participation. Participants who perceived their weight as "about the right weight" or "slightly overweight" were most likely to participate in MSE. Weight satisfaction was negatively associated with guideline adherence, with those "very dissatisfied" with their weight being more likely to adhere. Positive associations between sports club participation and sports equipment satisfaction with MSE participation were also found. Other factors, such as ethnicity and parental education level, showed no significant association.

Conclusion

MSE participation is correlated by sociodemographic, behavioral, and self-perception factors, particularly sex, age, socioeconomic status, sports club involvement, and weight perception. Interventions to enhance MSE participation should target the important identified factors. Future studies should consider using longitudinal designs to strengthen understanding of MSE, further aiding in developing relevant and effective interventions.

Association of physical activity, screen time and sleep with substance use in children and adolescents: a large sample cross-sectional study

Background

24-h movement guidelines (24-HMG) play an important role in various demographics such as early years, children, youth, and the older adult. Nevertheless, most existing research exploring the links between socioeconomic factors, dietary intake, and substance use with sleep patterns, physical activity (PA), and sedentary behavior (SB) has been conducted in high-income Western countries.

Purpose

Hence, this study seeks to investigate the relationship between adherence to the 24-HMG and smoking and alcohol use behaviors among children and adolescents in China.

Methods

A comprehensive survey, in collaboration with the Municipal Education Commission, was carried out across primary and middle schools in Shenzhen, China. Sleep duration was gauged using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), screen time was assessed with items adapted from the Health Behavior of School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, and PA was measured using a single item adapted from the HBSC survey. Results were presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), considering p-values below 0.05 as statistically significant.

Results

Among the sample, 51.9% were boys and 48% were girls. Those who did not meet any guidelines had a higher probability of smoking (OR = 1.62 [95% CI: 1.03, 2.56], p = 0.037) among children and adolescents. Conversely, meeting one (OR = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.61, 1.52], p = 0.874) or two guidelines (OR = 0.84 [95% CI: 0.52, 1.34], p = 0.459) showed no significant impact. The data displayed an inverse correlation between the number of guidelines adhered to and the likelihood of alcohol use among children and adolescents: none (OR = 2.07, p < 0.001), one guideline (OR = 1.40, p = 0.006), and two guidelines (OR = 1.22, p = 0.106).

Conclusion

Not meeting guidelines elevates smoking and alcohol use risks in children and adolescents, whereas following more guidelines lowers these risks, highlighting the importance of guideline adherence in reducing substance use.

Research on aerobic fitness in children and adolescents: a bibliometric analysis based on the 100 most-cited articles

Introduction

This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the 100 most-cited articles to examine research trends, hot topics, and gaps in aerobic fitness research in children and adolescents, addressing the lack of evidence synthesis.

Methods

The Web of Science Core Collection database was used for literature search, and bibliometric characteristics of the included research articles were imported and calculated. Descriptive statistics and visualizations by the VOS viewer were used for the presentation of bibliometric characteristics.

Results

The 100 most cited articles received an average of 104 citations. British Journal of Sports Medicine and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise were the two top journals that published aerobic fitness research in children and adolescents. The United States was the top country that contributed to the most-cited research articles. Three top research topics were identified from the analysis, such as neuroscience, developmental psychology, and aerobic health.

Conclusion

Aerobic fitness research in children and adolescents has received much attention and interest since 2000. The most contributing authors in this research field were from developed countries, such as the United States, and cognition and health-related research were priorities.

Exploring the sports participation, muscle-strengthening exercise and active commuting with comorbidity of depression and anxiety among Chinese children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Prior research has shown that physical activity (PA) is a crucial element for preserving and enhancing health, particularly among children and adolescents, and consistent engagement in PA offers numerous advantages for sustaining typical physical and mental well-being.

Purpose

Hence, the primary objective of this study was to examine the relationship between sport participation, muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE), and active commuting (AC) in the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety in Chinese children and adolescents.

Method

This cross-sectional investigation occurred in various cities across the southeastern region of China between March 2021 and October 2021. A convenient sampling method was utilized. We invited children and adolescents to participate in the questionnaire survey. A total of 1,996 participants completed the questionnaires with the endorsement of their parents or guardians under the supervision of schoolteachers and headmasters. Girls comprised 47.5% of the participants, and the average age of participants was 14.8 ± 2.0 years. We conducted a logistic regression analysis, including 95% confidence intervals, to explore the association between sports participation, MSE, AC, and the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety.

Results

No significant association was observed between weekday active commuting for travelling to and from school and MSE and the comorbidity of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents. A negative association was only detected for those who engaged in muscle-strengthening exercises 4 days a week (OR = 0.540, 95% CI = 0.345-0.845) compared to those who did not partake in such exercises.

Conclusion

The present study has provided evidence of the connection between sports participation and the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety among Chinese children and adolescents. Sports participation is more likely to help adolescents relieve anxiety and depression than AC, MSE. In forthcoming research, it is imperative to delve deeper into strategies that enhance the impact of sports on the mental well-being of children and young individuals. Furthermore, optimizing the magnitude of this effect may be achievable by focusing on neurobiological, behavioral, and psychosocial mechanisms.

Association Between Frequency of Muscle-Strengthening Exercise and Depression Symptoms Among Middle and High School Students: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

BACKGROUND

Existing literature on the association between the frequency of muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) and depression among adolescents is limited and contradictory.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to elucidate the association of MSE frequency with depression symptoms among middle and high school students in China.

METHODS

A total of 27,070 students in grades 7-12 from 376 middle and high schools were surveyed using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire between April and June 2022. Information on engaging in MSE was self-reported, and depression symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Poisson regression was used to examine the association between MSE frequency and depression symptoms.

RESULTS

Among the 27,006 eligible students, 51.6% (n=13,933) were boys, and the mean age was 15.6 (SD 1.7) years. The overall prevalence of meeting MSE recommendations (ie, engaging in MSE ≥3 days/week) was 34.6% (95% CI 32.6%-36.6%; n=9145); the prevalence was higher in boys (43.8%, 95% CI 41.8%-45.8%; 6067/13,933) than in girls (24.3%, 95% CI 22%-26.6%; 3078/13,073; P<.001). A total of 5882 (21.8%) students reported having depression symptoms. After adjustment for sociodemographic status, lifestyle factors, academic performance, and experience of physical fighting, compared to students who did not engage in MSE, the prevalence ratios (PRs) for depression symptoms were 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-0.99) for those engaging in MSE once a week, 0.95 (95% CI 0.93-0.97) for 2 days/week, 0.93 (95% CI 0.90-0.96) for 3 days/week, 0.90 (95% CI 0.87-0.94) for 4 days/week, 0.88 (95% CI 0.84-0.93) for 5 days/week, 0.86 (95% CI 0.81-0.92) for 6 days/week, and 0.84 (95% CI 0.78-0.90) for 7 days/week, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall prevalence of meeting MSE recommendations among Chinese adolescents is low. The frequency of MSE was inversely associated with depression symptoms.

Combined aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity guidelines and their association with obesity in US adolescents

Most of the evidence on physical activity for maintaining a healthy weight in adolescents is based solely on aerobic physical activity alone, with little attention given to the muscle strength component. This study aimed to investigate the associations between aerobic activities and muscle-strengthening activities (MSA) and overweight/obesity among a representative sample of adolescents. Data from the United States-based Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System for the 2011-2019 cycle were used in this cross-sectional study. Adolescents self-reported their adherence to aerobic and MSA guidelines, as well as their height and weight. Overweight and obesity were defined using the age- and sex-specific criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a body mass index (BMI) ≥85th and ≥95th percentiles, respectively. We examined the associations between adherence to physical activity guidelines (reference: not meeting either of the physical activity guidelines) and overweight/obesity or obesity using binary logistic regressions. These analyses were adjusted for race/ethnicity, sex, age, screen time, sleep duration, tobacco, alcohol, fruit, vegetables, and soda consumption. A total of 42 829 adolescents (48.98% girls) were included in the study. Of these, 22.23% met both guidelines for physical activity, 30.47% had overweight/obesity, and 14.51% had obesity. Compared with meeting neither guideline, meeting both aerobic and MSA guidelines was associated with lower odds of having overweight/obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60 to 0.68) and obesity (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.56). These results were consistent across years of assessment, sex, and race/ethnicity. In conclusion, our results highlight the importance of MSA, which is often overlooked in physical activity recommendations in many studies, in combating childhood obesity in the United States.

The Relationship between Physical Fitness and Perceived Well-Being, Motivation, and Enjoyment in Chinese Adolescents during Physical Education: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between physical fitness (PF) level and Chinese middle-school students’ perceived well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. Method: In this study, the participants were randomly selected from 16 Beijing-based middle schools in China. In addition to the collection of demographic data (i.e., gender, age, and parental education), tools including the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, the Behavioural Regulation in Sport Questionnaire, and the Physical Activity Children’s Enjoyment Scale were employed for collecting data on other variables of well-being, motivation, and enjoyment, respectively. Results: A total of 1678 adolescents (M age = 14.66 years, SD = 1.80) participated in this study. According to the results, significant gender differences could be observed in the PF categories of mean age, BMI, vital capacity, 50-m sprint, muscular strength, and flexibility (all p < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant gender difference in the levels of well-being, motivation, and enjoyment observed, with similar scores for boys and girls (p > 0.05). Indeed, adolescents with low BMI scores and high levels of vital capacity, muscular strength, and flexibility showed better well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. However, no association was observed between timed sit-ups and pull-ups and well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. Conclusions: This study produced preliminary findings on the relationship between PF and Chinese adolescents’ perceived well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. To improve the health of adolescents, it is necessary to adopt prospective and experimental research designs for advocating for fitness education in school-based programs in future research.