Correlates of overweight status in Chinese youth: an East-West paradox

Am J Health Behav. 2011 Jul;35(4):496-506. doi: 10.5993/ajhb.35.4.11.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the odds of overweight and related correlates in Chinese adolescents.

Method: Cross-sectional study in 9023 adolescents.

Results: Chinese youth were more likely to be overweight if they spent more time being sedentary; slept <7 hours/night; were male; were younger; participated more in vigorous physical activity; and had higher levels of parental education, a higher frequency of vegetable intake, and a lower frequency of sweet/fast food intake.

Conclusions: Overweight-related correlates seem to play different roles in the Chinese culture than in Western cultures. This may be due to culture-specific perceptions and changes in lifestyle accompanying socioeconomic transitions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Age Factors
  • Asian People / psychology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Food Preferences / psychology
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Surveys / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Activity
  • Overweight / psychology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sedentary Behavior
  • Sleep