Cited by 155Physical Activity and HealthObesity, Physical Activity, DietSports and Physical Education Studies

Factors of physical activity among Chinese children and adolescents: a systematic review

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Lu, Congchao, Stolk, Ronald P., Sauer, Pieter J. J., Sijtsma, Anna, Wiersma, Rikstje, Huang, Guowei, Corpeleijn, Eva·2017·International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lack of physical activity is a growing problem in China, due to the fast economic development and changing living environment over the past two decades. The aim of this review is to summarize the factors related to physical activity in Chinese children and adolescents during this distinct period of development. METHODS: , 2017, and identified 2200 hits through PubMed and Web of Science. English-language published studies were included if they reported statistical associations between factors and physical activity. Adapted criteria from the Strengthening The Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement and evaluation of the quality of prognosis studies in systematic reviews (QUIPS) were used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. Related factors that were reported in at least three studies were summarized separately for children and adolescents using a semi-quantitative method. RESULTS: Forty two papers (published 2002-2016) were included. Most designs were cross-sectional (79%), and most studies used questionnaires to assess physical activity. Sample size was above 1000 in 18 papers (43%). Thirty seven studies (88%) showed acceptable quality by methodological quality assessment. Most studies reported a low level of physical activity. Boys were consistently more active than girls, the parental physical activity was positively associated with children and adolescents' physical activity, children in suburban/rural regions showed less activity than in urban regions, and, specifically in adolescents, self-efficacy was positively associated with physical activity. Family socioeconomic status and parental education were not associated with physical activity in children and adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The studies included in this review were large but mostly of low quality in terms of study design (cross-sectional) and methods (questionnaires). Parental physical activity and self-efficacy are promising targets for future physical activity promotion programmes. The low level of physical activity raises concern, especially in suburban/rural regions. Future research is required to enhance our understanding of other influences, such as the physical environment, especially in early childhood.

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  • In China, there is a positive association between various forms of parental support, including parental encouragement, accompaniment, financial support, involvement, and role modelling, and high levels of physical activity participation among children and adolescents.

    “Evidence from China indicates that there is a positive association between various forms of parental support, including parental encouragement, accompaniment, financial support, involvement, and role modelling, and high levels of physical activity participation among children and adolescents.106–108”
  • There is no clear evidence from China to suggest that socioeconomic status (eg, family socioeconomic status, parental education) is associated with levels of physical activity among Chinese children and adolescents.

    “There is no clear evidence from China to suggest that socioeconomic status (eg, family socioeconomic status, parental education) is associated with levels of physical activity among Chinese children and adolescents.106”

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  1. [14]World Health Organization Global recommendations on physical activity for health 2010 Geneva World Health Organization 26180873

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Authors
Lu, C., Stolk, R. P., Sauer, P. J. J., Sijtsma, A., Wiersma, R., Huang, G., & Corpeleijn, E.
Affiliations
  • University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
  • Tianjin Medical University (CN)
Corresponding author
Lu, Congchao
Venue
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Published
2017-03-21
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
36-36
ISSN
1479-5868 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2599960949
Cited by
155
References
96
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 3
FWCI
1.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Social Sciences › Life-span and Life-course Studies › Sports and Physical Education Studies
Keywords
physical activity, children, adolescents, Chinese children, parental physical activity, self-efficacy, sex differences, urban-rural differences, socioeconomic status, physical activity promotion, physical environment
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Child, Child Behavior, China, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Parents, Surveys and Questionnaires, Exercise, Self Efficacy, Observational Studies as Topic

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