Increased obesity risks for being an only child in China: findings from a nationally representative study of 19,487 children

摘要

Abstract Objectives Given the rapid demographic transition and obesity growth in China, it is important to study how the large only-child population (≈100 million) might contribute to the obesity epidemic. This study evaluated associations of only-child status with weight and energy expenditure–related behaviors in China and examined how the associations may vary by sex and urbanicity. Study design Secondary analyses of nationally representative cross-sectional data from China Education Panel Survey: Junior Cohorts 2013–14, which included 19,487 students from 112 middle schools in 28 regions across China. Methods We used propensity-score–weighted multilevel models to test associations between only-child status and weight outcomes. Results Compared with sibling-sons, only-sons had higher body mass index (BMI) (Beta?=?0.32, P ? Conclusions Future childhood obesity interventions should pay special attention targeting the large young only-child population in China. Highlights ? Only-sons had higher obesity risk than sibling-sons, particularly in urban China. ? Only-sons spent less time on TV, internet use, after-school sports, and household chores. ? Only-daughters had high obesity risk than sibling-daughters. ? Only-daughters in rural areas spent less time on household chores than sibling-daughters.