Effects of fruits and vegetables intake and physical activities on the relationship between one-child and low height level classification / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore the relationship between one-child and low height level classification among children and adolescents, and the effects of fruits, vegetables and physical activities on this association, and to provide as cientific reference for probing into and improving the differences of their height level between one child and child with siblings.@*Methods@#Using stratified cluster sampling method, 93 primary and secondary schools in 7 provinces and cities in China were selected for physical examination and questionnaire surveys. A total of 40 978 primary and middle school students aged 7-17 were selected. A multilevel Logistic regression model was used to analyze.@*Results@#Univariate analysis found that being one-child was less likely to be classified as low height level(OR=0.63, 95%CI=0.58-0.67); the multilevel model also found that the probability that one-child being at low height level was still lower(OR=0.78, 95%CI=0.73-0.85), and daily vigorous-intensity physical activities ≥1 h (OR=0.92, 95%CI=0.85-0.99) and daily vegetables and fruits intake ≥5 servings (OR=0.83, 95%CI=0.75-0.92) could also reduce the probability of being at low height level. Hierarchical analysis found that when vegetables and fruits intake and physical activities time were sufficient, there was no longer a significant difference in the height level classification between one-child and child with siblings(P>0.05).@*Conclusion@#Being one-child could be a protective factor for the height level classification of children and adolescents. Adequate intake of vegetables and fruits and time of vigorous-intensity physical activities could fill the gap of height level classification between of being one-child and child with siblings. Effective behavioral intervention measures should be taken to protect the healthy growth of height among children and adolescences.