The Chinese Adolescent Cohort Study: Design, Implementation, and Major Findings

Abstract

The importance of diet quality on children's growth is being increasingly recognized. The Chinese Adolescent Cohort (CAC) is a longitudinal cohort study to comprehensively investigate the health impacts of nutritional factors on child growth. From 2013 to 2018, 6,967 children aged 6–8 years have been recruited from 23 primary schools in Sichuan, Guizhou, and Chongqing, which have been planned to be followed up annually until their age of 15 years. Regular assessments included the measurement of height, weight, waist circumference, and skinfold thicknesses; pubertal development was examined by trained investigators according to Tanner stages; dietary intake was obtained by three 24-h recalls and food frequency questionnaire; validated questionnaires were used to estimate socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors. Findings from the CAC baseline and the first follow-up data suggested that higher protein intake among girls and unhealthy eating habits among children might increase the risk for childhood obesity. Also, higher intakes of grain and meat and lower overall diet quality and intakes of dietary fiber and tuber might be associated with advanced pubertal development. Those results indicated that the CAC study could contribute to the development of strategies for optimizing Chinese children's health.

Dual Burden of Malnutrition Among Adolescents With Hunger Aged 12–15 Years in 41 Countries: Findings From the Global School-Based Student Health Survey

“…A recent study indicated that hedonic hunger, defined as eating food for pleasure, is positively associated with obesity among women ( 7 ). Several studies have reported a positive association between hedonic hunger and eating unhealthy foods ( 8 , 9 ) among young people, which increases the risk of childhood obesity ( 10 ). Among overweight or obese people, reducing hunger may improve weight loss ( 11 ).…”

Correlation between lifestyle patterns and overweight and obesity among Chinese adolescents

“…The related data indicated that it was expected that the global obesity of children and adolescents would increase by 60% in the future 10 years, and the total number would reach 250million by 2030, which would undoubtedly put great pressure on the world public health system ( 2 ). With the improvement of social development and economic level, the lifestyle and dietary pattern of Chinese adolescents have undergone tremendous changes ( 3 , 4 ). In the recent 40 years, the height and weight of Chinese teenagers has presented an upward trend, at the same time, the overweight and obesity rate of teenagers has also continued to rise.…”