Body mass index and physical fitness among Chinese adolescents from Shandong Province: a cross-sectional study

Abstract This study examined the relationship between perceived built environment attributes and physical activity, physical fitness and body weight among adolescents aged 14–16 years in Sarawak. This was a cross-sectional study, using multi-stage sampling. A set of questionnaires consisting of socio-demographic information, a self-administered physical activity checklist and a Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Youth (NEWS-Y) was used. Body mass index (BMI) was measured and physical fitness was tested using a maximal multistage 20 m shuttle run test. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 17.0. A total of 316 respondents participated. The mean BMI for boys was almost equal to the mean BMI for girls. Only 7.9% of the sampled population was found to be overweight or obese. The overall mean duration spent per day on physical activity was 128.4 min (SD 118.43), with mean of 56.1 min (SD 73.94) after school time. Girls reported to spend longer each day taking physical activity before and during school. Boys were found to have significantly higher VO2max of 27.79±5.91 mL/kg/min as compared to girls (t=11.22, p<0.000). Based on comparison with other countries, the NEWS-Y scores indicated a mixture of low and high walkability neighborhoods. Respondents who had lower BMIs reported living in lower residential density areas and less risk of crime, and respondents who had better physical fitness reported less suitable infrastructure for walking. Promotion of exercise at all levels should be continuously encouraged as it would lead to improvement in the well-being of an individual.

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Association of body mass index with serum alanine aminotransferase in Chinese adolescents: a school-based cross-sectional study

Gastroenterology Report ◽

10.1093/gastro/goz039 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 119-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Zan Ding ◽

Jing Zhang ◽

Chang-Yu Deng ◽

Ying-Bin You ◽

Hua Zhou

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Alanine Aminotransferase ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Chinese Adolescents ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Serum Alanine Aminotransferase ◽

School Based ◽

Alt Activity

Abstract Background Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated that high body mass index (BMI) is related to elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) among adults, but little is known about the association regarding adolescents, especially in China. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between BMI and ALT activity among Chinese adolescents. Methods A school-based cross-sectional study was performed among nine high schools in Shenzhen, China between February 2017 and June 2018. A generalized linear-regression model adjusting for age and gender was conducted, and bivariate correlation analysis between ALT and BMI was also performed. Results A total of 7,271 adolescents aged from 9 years to 17 years were enrolled. Height, weight, BMI, and ALT were higher among boys than among girls (all P < 0.001). The mean (standard deviation) of serum ALT levels was 14.26 (14.77) U/L. In the entire BMI range, the BMI−ALT correlation was stronger for boys (Spearman's r = 0.396, P < 0.001) and adolescents of 14 years−17 years (r = 0.356, P < 0.001) than for girls (r = 0.203, P < 0.001) and adolescents of 9 years−13 years (r = 0.221, P < 0.001), respectively. Serum ALT increased rapidly and followed a linear pattern from the point of BMI ≥20.5 kg/m2, and each increase of 1 kg/m2 in BMI range above 20.5 kg/m2 was averagely correlated with an increase of 2.71 U/L in ALT levels (P < 0.001). Conclusions We found a significant BMI−ALT relationship. BMI at 20.5 kg/m2 may be a cut-off for evaluating serum ALT. BMIs ≥27.1 kg/m2 for boys and ≥24.9 kg/m2 for girls were linked to an elevated ALT activity for Shenzhen adolescents.

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