OBJECTIVES: Physical inactivity is an important health concern worldwide. In this study, we examined the effects of an exercise intervention on children's academic achievement, cognitive function, physical fitness, and other health-related outcomes. METHODS:We conducted a population-based cluster randomized controlled trial among 2301 fourth-grade students from 10 of 11 public primary schools in 1 district of Ulaanbaatar between February and December 2018. Schools were allocated to an intervention or control group with 5 schools each by using urban and mixed residential area stratified block randomization. The intervention group received a 3-minute high-intensity interval exercise program that included jumps, squats, and various steps implemented twice weekly over 10 weeks for 10 to 25 minutes per session. The control group received the usual physical education class. The primary outcome was academic achievement assessed by scores on the national examination. A linear mixed-effects model was applied. The difference between preintervention and post intervention was compared by least-squares means, estimated on the basis of the interaction of group, measurement time point, and school location. Only 1 statistician, responsible for the analysis, was blinded.RESULTS: Of 2301 students, 2101 (1069 intervention; 1032 control) were included in the analysis. Intervention group members in an urban area showed an 8.36-point improvement (95% confidence interval: 6.06 to 10.66) in academic scores when compared with the control group, whereas those in a mixed residential area showed a 9.55-point improvement (95% confidence interval: 6.58 to 12.51). No intervention-associated injuries were observed. CONCLUSIONS:The exercise program significantly improved children's academic achievement.

Purpose Lifestyle factors of children and adolescents’ mental health problems are an emerging health issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there is a lack of studies on lifestyle factors in LMICs. This study examined the socioeconomic and lifestyle factors associated with mental health problems among school-age children in Mongolia. Methods A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 4th-year students at public elementary schools in one district in Ulaanbaatar. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and a self-administrated socioeconomic and lifestyle questionnaire were completed by participants’ guardians. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Results Of the 2301 children surveyed, 1694 without missing responses were included in the analysis. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male gender [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.64 (1.29–2.10)], low maternal education [AOR 1.89 (1.16–3.05)], short sleep [AOR 1.41 (1.10–1.80)], no physical activity [AOR 1.31 (1.03–1.67)], and long screen time (AOR 1.53 (1.20–1.94)) were associated with high risk of mental health problems. Low maternal education, low household income, no physical activity habit, and long screen time were associated with internalising problems. Meanwhile, male gender, low maternal education, and long screen time were associated with externalising problems. Conclusion The results are consistent with previous studies in high-income countries, indicating that there are globally common socioeconomic and lifestyle risk factors. The findings of this study may help develop a targeted preventive intervention for high-risk groups, such as socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, as well as a universal preventive intervention to foster a healthy lifestyle in Mongolia. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00127-021-02178-7.

Objectives:The purpose of the paper was to determine the association between T/A polymorphism of the FTO gene and fat accumulation and localization in young urban ethnic Mongolian males. Methods: The anthropogenetic study was conducted 247 ethnic Mongolian males in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 18 to 24 years of age, whose parents were both of Mongolian origin. A large number of anthropometric characteristics (about 50) were taken on each individual using a standardized technique. The group surveyed was divided into groups according to the BMI values recommended by WHO for Asia. General anthropometric characteristics and obesity-related indexes were compared between the overweight/obesity group and the control group. The genotyping for the polymorphic system of the fat mass and obesity-associated genes (T/A, rs9939609) was performed. The correlation between different genotypes and obesity-related anthropometric traits was analyzed. Results: Body mass, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, body fat percentage were higher in the overweight and obesity groups compared with controls. The frequencies of AA genotype and A allele in the obesity group were higher than those in the control group. The body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio in individuals with rs9939609 AA and AT genotypes were signi cantly higher than in those with TT genotype. Conclusion: Young men in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia carrying the A allele accumulate more fat with the same BMI, mainly in the abdominal region, which indicates increased risks of developing diseases associated with central obesity.

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Studies on the differences in the morphological characteristics of freestyle wrestlers belonging to related ethnic groups from South Siberia and Central Asia have not been previously conducted. This research aimed to perform a comparative analysis of the anthropometric and functional characteristics of freestyle wrestlers from two mono-ethnic samples: the Altaians and the Mongols. A total of 99 freestyle wrestlers were examined (mean age 25.0 ± 2.6 years). The anthropometric survey included measuring longitudinal (body length and length of segments), transverse (shoulder and pelvis width, transverse and sagittal diameters of the chest), circumferential (trunk and limb circumference) parameters, as well as body weight and skinfold thickness on the trunk and limbs. Body composition was determined by multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (ABC-02 MEDASS, Russia). During the stratification of athletes by the total body measures (weight and height), we identified anthropometric differences that can be either interethnic or those formed under the influence of targeted selection. The comparative analysis of anthropometric features of the longitudinal and transverse development of the skeleton allows us to suggest that the high values of the transverse diameter of the chest as well as relatively long legs and short arms typical of the Altaians are preserved by sports selection and are manifested in a wide range of height and weight values. The greatest variability is characteristic of the body’s fat component. Within the normal body length/weight ratio (body mass index ranging between 22.0 and 24.9 kg/m2), Altaian athletes showed greater fat mass but lower level of subcutaneous fat deposition compared to Mongolian wrestlers with the same body weight.