Relationship between eating behaviors and muscle strength among Chinese male adolescents

Abstract

The impact of eating behaviors on physical fitness and overall health is widely recognized. However, the specific effect of late-night eating on physical fitness and the relationship between unhealthy eating habits and muscle strength in adolescents have not been explored yet. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between eating behaviors and muscle strength among Chinese male adolescents. The eating habits of 1916 high school students (mean age = 16.7 ± 0.8) were assessed by a questionnaire comprising items related to the consumption of breakfast and frequency of late-night food intake. Muscle strength was measured by grip strength (upper body strength) and standing long jump (lower body strength) tests. To discern the relationship between eating behaviors and muscle strength, a covariance analysis (ANCOV) was performed by making adjustments for potential confounding variables. The final adjusted model suggested a significant relationship between grip strength and the frequency of breakfast consumption (a higher frequency was related with better grip strength; p < 0.001) and late-night eating (a lower frequency was linked with better grip strength; p = 0.002). Few unhealthy eating behaviors were associated with better grip strength and standing long jump performance (p < 0.001 and p = 0.026, respectively). These findings suggest that consumption of breakfast, reduction of the late-night eating, and decreased unhealthy eating habits may improve muscle strength and function in male adolescents.