Clustering of multiple lifestyle behaviors among migrant, left-behind and local adolescents in China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Influence of migration on externalized behavioral problems (e.g., aggressive) among adolescents has been well assessed, yet lifestyle behaviors of migrant, left-behind and local adolescents have been largely overlooked by researchers and policy-makers. Therefore, this study aimed to identify clustering of multiple lifestyle behaviors and their associations with migrant status among Chinese adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2015 in Beijing, and Wuhu city (Anhui province). Adolescents self-reported age, gender, family economic status, migrant situation, and lifestyle behaviors (i.e., physical activity, screen time, sleep, smoke, soft-drink, alcohol, fruit and vegetable consumption) via a battery of validated questionnaires. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify behavioral clusters using Mplus 7.1. ANOVA, and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine associations between migrant situations and behavioral clusters using SPSS 22. Results Three distinct behavioral clusters were exhibited among 1364 students (mean age: 13.41 ± 0.84 years): “low risk” (N = 847), “moderate risk” (N = 412) and “high risk” (N = 105). The “high-risk” cluster had the highest prevalence of adolescents not meeting healthy behavioral recommendations. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of high-risk lifestyle among migrant, left-behind, rural local and urban local adolescents. But migrant adolescents had the lowest prevalence of low-risk lifestyle, followed by left-behind, rural and urban local adolescents. Moreover, compared with urban local, migrant (OR = 2.72, 95%CI: 1.88,3.94), left-behind (OR = 2.28, 95%CI: 1.46, 3.55), and rural local (OR = 1.76, 95%CI:1.03,3.01) adolescents had a higher risk of moderate-risk lifestyle. Conclusions Clustering of assessed lifestyle behaviors differed by the migrant status. Particularly, migrant and left-behind adolescents were more likely to have moderate-risk lifestyle compared with their counterparts. Interventions that promote moderate to vigorous physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables simultaneously are needed among them.

Association between mental health and executive dysfunction and the moderating effect of urban–rural subpopulation in general adolescents from Shangrao, China: a population-based cross-sectional study

“…However, another population-based study including adolescents from both urban and rural areas did not find a significant association 11. One potential reason for these differences may be that certain social factors, such as adolescent living and study environments, may moderate that link, as the distribution of economic, healthcare and educational resources,12 13 as well as some lifestyle behaviours (eg, physical activity and screen exposure),14 15 can vary significantly based on an adolescent’s home residence or school location, particularly in developing nations with large urban–rural socioeconomic disparities 16…”

“…Meanwhile, urban regions also have a number of stressors including dense population, as well as traffic and air pollution,17 18 which may aggravate the mental health and EF relationship. In some contexts, rural adolescents relocating to urban areas with or without their parents (migrant) tend to have worse lifestyle behaviours such as more screen exposure time,15 and may also face a unique set of adverse circumstances such as social stigma threat from peers,19 which may in turn impact their mental health and EF. In light of these disparities, it is possible that the associations between mental health symptoms and EDF may differ by adolescent home residence and school location, yet no studies have examined their moderating effects on those associations in general sample.…”

Health Status and Association With Interpersonal Relationships Among Chinese Children From Urban Migrant to Rural Left-Behind

“…There is an increasing number of migrant parents choosing to raise their children in cities, resulting in the “migrant children” (MC) ( 4 ). Migrant children are migrant population under the age of 18 years who have left their hukou registration place for 6 months or longer with parents from rural areas to cities ( 5 ).…”

Sleep disturbances and correlates among a sample of preschool children in rural China

“…In addition, children's lifestyles (including screen time and dietary habits) and body mass index (BMI) were also associated with insufficient sleep duration [14,15]. Left-behind children may have a higher risk of unhealthy lifestyles and poorer health status [16,17], which may be closely related to their sleep quality. Therefore, the factors associated with sleep problems among children are complicated and need to be explored comprehensively.…”