Combined Associations of Smoking and Bullying Victimization With Binge Drinking Among Adolescents in Beijing, China.

Background: Binge drinking and smoking among adolescents are serious public concerns. However, very few studies have explored the reinforcement of bullying victimization by such behavior. Our study aimed at examining the individual and combined associations of smoking and bullying victimization with binge drinking among adolescents in Beijing, China. Methods: A total of 33,694 students aged 13-17 years old in Beijing, China were anonymously investigated via the cross-sectional Chinese Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey from April to May 2014. A three-stage stratified sampling was used to select participants. Factors such as sociodemographic variables and indicators of smoking, bullying victimization, and binge drinking were analyzed with multiple logistic regressions, and joint and additive interaction effects were tested. Results: Overall, ever-drinking prevalence was 59.1% (boys: 64.4%; girls: 53.7%). Past 30-day binge drinking was 11.5% (boys: 15.6%; girls: 7.4%) and frequent binge drinking was 2.3% (boys: 3.3%; girls: 1.0%). Past 30-day smoking was 10.7% (boys: 16.4%; girls: 5.0%) and past 30-day bullying victimization was 48.7% (boys: 57.3%; girls: 40.1%). The combined effects of smoking and bullying victimization on occasional binge drinking (OR = 6.49, 95% CI = 5.60-7.52) and frequent binge drinking (OR = 10.32, 95% CI = 7.52-14.14) were significant, and the additive interaction effect was significant for current smoking and bullying victimization on frequent binge drinking (OR = 10.22, 95% CI = 9.43-11.07). The additive interaction effect for current smoking and bullying victimization on frequent binge drinking was significant among boys. Conclusion: Bullying victimization reinforced the association of smoking with frequent binge drinking, especially with findings specific to boys. Programs to prevent smoking or bullying or both may reduce binge drinking among adolescents in China.

Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Its Relationship With Combinations of Physical Activity and Screen-Based Sedentary Behavior Among Adolescents in China.

BACKGROUND: Given the widespread prevalence and serious nature of Internet addiction (IA), this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of IA and assess the relationships between IA and combinations of physical activity (PA) and screen-based sedentary behavior (SB) among adolescents in China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study surveyed 31,954 adolescents in grades 7 to 12 in Beijing. IA, PA, screen-based SB, and other information were obtained from a self-administrated questionnaire. The chi-square test and mixed-effects logistic regression model were applied to estimate the relationship between IA and combinations of PA and screen-based SB. RESULTS: 6.2% of the surveyed adolescents reported IA and the prevalence of low PA/high screen-based SB, high PA/high screen-based SB, low PA/low screen-based SB, and high PA/low screen-based SB were 53.7%, 19.5%, 18.8%, and 8.0%, respectively. Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis showed that adolescents with low PA/high screen-based SB were 1.99 (95% confidence interval, 1.62-2.44, P < .001) times more likely to prefer IA than those with high PA/low screen-based SB. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of IA among Chinese adolescents is still high. Intervention programs like maintaining sufficient PA and reducing screen-based SB might contribute to reducing their IA.

Gender differences in suicidal ideation and health-risk behaviors among high school students in Beijing, China.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is still the leading cause of death in the 15 to 34-year age group, especially for girls aging 15 to 19-year old. In China particularly, the suicide rate of female is 60% higher than male. The gender difference on suicidal ideation and its patterns with academic, family, social and health-risk factors is unknown among adolescents in Beijing, China. METHODS: A total of 33 635 students in grades 7-12 in Beijing participated in the 2014 Chinese Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance. Data were stratified by gender and associations with suicidal ideation were analyzed using χ2 test and multivariate regression analyses. The interaction effects on suicidal ideation between gender and the related behaviors were also analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicidal ideation was significantly higher for girls (13.3%) than boys (10.7%). The multivariate regression analyses indicated that high academic pressure, running away from home, feeling lonely or sad/hopeless, being bullied, fighting, and binge drinking were significantly associated with suicidal ideation in boys and girls. Factors more strongly associated with suicidal ideation in girls than boys were being in junior vs senior high school (girl vs boys: 1.24 vs NA), high academic pressure (2.42 vs 1.55), ever smoking (1.52 vs NA), binge drinking (1.30 vs 1.17), fighting once (1.63 vs 1.06) and being sad/hopeless (2.39 vs 2.04) and their interaction with gender were all statistically significant (P < 0.05). A lower likelihood of suicidal ideation was found among boys, but not girls, who had PE class two or more days per week. CONCLUSIONS: Girls showed more vulnerability to suicidal ideation than boys particularly among girls in junior school, reporting high academic pressure, smoking, binge drinking and fighting. The combinations of risk factors and differential patterns for boys and girls point to high-risk groups and potential targets for gender-specific suicide prevention.

Secular growth trends among children in Beijing (1955-2010).

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the growth trends of children in Beijing from 1955 to 2010. METHODS: Data for the period 1955-1975 were derived from published records. Data for the period 1985-2010 were derived from the Chinese National Survey on Students' Constitution and Health (CNSSCH). Since 1985, the overall sampling and measurement methods have been consistent. The mean, the standard deviation, and the variance (ANOVA) of height, weight, and BMI by age and sex of students aged 7-17 were calculated and analyzed. RESULTS: Between 1955 and 2010, the average height and weight of children in Beijing has increased. The average increments per decade for boys and girls were 2.45cm and 2.03cm in height and 2.68kg and 1.68kg in weight, respectively. The largest height increase per decade occurred between 1975 and 1985: 4.51cm and 3.23cm for boys and girls, respectively. The largest height increase for the entire 55-year period under study occurred among boys at age 13 (17.85cm) and among girls at age 11 (15.90cm.) CONCLUSIONS: During the period 1955-2010, growth trends among children in Beijing were positive. The health and nutritional status of these children improved significantly. Since 2007, might be related to government intervention, childhood obesity has been curbed.