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Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used for arthritis in China and elsewhere across the world. However, knowledge about the prevalence and profile of middle-aged and older women who used CHM for arthritis in China is limited. This study aims to identify potentially important insights into the factors associated with CHM use amongst middle-aged and older women with arthritis in China. Data were drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a population-based survey of Chinese adults aged 45 years or older, comprising 10,833 Chinese women who completed a questionnaire in 2015. Stepwise multiple logistic regression modeling was conducted to determine the key factors (demographic, health condition, and health services use) predicting the use of CHM for the treatment of arthritis. Results revealed that 17.2% of women with arthritis were taking CHM for their arthritic symptoms. Women with arthritis who used CHM were more likely to experience finger pain (OR = 1.70), had difficulty in stooping, kneeling, crouching (OR = 1.40), visited a Traditional Chinese hospital (OR = 2.22), consulted massage therapists (OR = 2.06) and/or had experienced a fall (OR = 1.41). The prevalence of CHM use is high amongst middle-aged and older Chinese women with arthritis. Given the high risk of functional disability and impaired mental health, further research is needed to explore the potential health benefits of CHM for women with arthritis in order to help facilitate the efficacious and safe use of CHM alongside conventional medical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To assess the magnitude of overweight and obesity, and its associated socio-demographic factors in adolescents in Xi'an city, China. Methods. A total of 1804 adolescents attending junior high schools in Xi'an City (age: 11–17 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. Body mass index using IOTF cut-offs defined overweight and obesity. Socio-demographic information was collected from the parents of the survey participants using self-administered, structured and pre-coded questionnaires. Results. Overall, 16.3% of adolescents were overweight or obese, but there was a marked gender difference in the prevalence with 19.4% (95% CI: 15.6% – 23.7%) of boys versus 13.2% (95% CI: 10.0% – 16.4%) of the girls being overweight or obese. In a multivariate model, age, residence, household wealth, and parents’ body mass index were significantly associated with being overweight/obese (p [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the association between dietary habits and overweight and obesity in adolescents from Xi'an City, China. A cross-sectional sample of 1804 adolescents was recruited in 2004 from 30 junior high schools in six districts of Xi'an City, northwest China. Weight and height was measured and eating habits assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to identify dietary patterns associated with overweight and obesity and adjusted for socio-demographic factors. Consumption of foods and beverages outside three main meals, and potato chips was more popular in boys than in girls, while girls consumed more fried food and soft drinks than boys. In boys, an increased consumption of soft drinks was associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity (1100 mL/day. OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.8), while consuming preserved fruit was associated with decreased risk (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9). In girls, having breakfast outside the home (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3) and an increased consumption of energy-dense foods (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.04-2.9), was associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity, while frequently having foods and beverages outside the three main meals (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9) was associated with decreased risk. The consumption of breakfast outside the home, soft drinks and energy-dense fast foods were positively associated with overweight and obesity in adolescents. Future health education programs to prevent excess weight gain should target such unhealthy eating habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which explores the sociodemographic and environmental factors in the community, school and household levels that are associated with physical inactivity of adolescents in Xi'an, China. The cross-sectional study was studied with the use of questionnaire on 1787 students. It found that girls had the tendency to be inactive than boys and that adolescents aged 14 years old had 30 percent less likely to be inactive than the 13 years old. The factors cited that contributed to inactivity include paternal education, lack of extracurricular exercise and lack of access to community recreational facilities.

Physical activity levels were assessed among adolescents in Xi'an City, China, using a validated physical activity questionnaire. Physical activity recommendations were met by 56% of the adolescents and boys were more active than girls. The mean daily sedentary time was 6.4 hours, among which 3 hours was spent doing homework.

Purpose: To explore the sociodemographic and environmental factors at community, school, and household levels associated with physical inactivity., Methods: In a cross-sectional study in 2004, physical activity level was assessed using a validated questionnaire in 1787 students. Physical inactivity was defined as less than 150 min.wk of moderate activity (4-6 METs) or less than 60 min.wk of vigorous activity (> 6 METs). Sociodemographic and environmental information was recorded on self-administered questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple logistic models were developed based on a conceptual framework of factors related to physical activity., Results: Overall, girls were twice as likely to be inactive. Adolescents aged 14 yr were 30% less likely to be inactive compared with those younger than 13 yr (95% CI: 0.5-0.9). Paternal education was inversely associated with inactivity (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9). Adolescents living in neighborhoods without sidewalks were 1.3 times more likely to be inactive (95% CI: 1.0-1.6). At the school level, lack of extracurricular exercise (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.6) and fewer sports meetings (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4-2.9) were associated with physical inactivity. Difficult access to community recreational facilities (moderate OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-1.9; difficult OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.4) and concerns about safety in the neighborhood (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-4.1) were associated with inactivity. There were some differences associated with physical inactivity between boys and girls., Conclusion: Strategies to promote physical activity in Chinese adolescents should integrate associated factors at household, school, and community levels and address the important gender differences in factors associated with physical inactivity in youth.

Objective: To assess the magnitude of overweight and obesity and its associated sociodemographic factors in adolescents attending junior high schools in Xi'an, Shanxi province., Methods: A total of 1 804 adolescents attending junior high schools in Xi'an (age: 11-17 years) were enrolled randomly from 30 schools in 6 districts in Xi'an. Overweight and obesity was categorized with body mass index (BMI) cutoffs from Working Group of Obesity in China (WGOC). Underweight was defined by BMI-Z < or = -2 s. Sociodemographic information was collected from the parents of the survey participants using self-administered, structured and precoded questionnaires., Results: Overall 17.4% of adolescents were overweight or obese (overweight 11.2%; obesity 6.2%), but there was a marked gender difference in the prevalence with 20.2% of boys versus 14.4% of the girls being overweight or obese. The prevalence of underweight was 2.7%. In a multivariate model, age, residence, household wealth, and parents' BMI were significantly associated with overweight and obesity (P < 0.05). After having been adjusted for age and gender, the odds ratio of an adolescent being overweight and obese was 2.7 (95% CI: 1.8-4.0) folds higher in urban areas than in rural areas, and was 1.6 (95% CI: 1.04-2.5) folds higher for adolescents from rich families than those from poor families. An adolescent with one or both parents overweight was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.3-2.5) more likely to be overweight themselves compared to those with normal weight parents., Conclusions: Overweight and obesity is a major public health problem in adolescents in Xi'an. Overweight and obesity is more prevalent in younger boys from richer families living in urban districts and those whose parents were either overweight or obese.

Objectives: To assess the magnitude of overweight and obesity, and its associated socio-demographic factors in adolescents in Xi'an city, China., Methods: A total of 1804 adolescents attending junior high schools in Xi'an City (age: 11-17 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. Body mass index using IOTF cut-offs defined overweight and obesity. Socio-demographic information was collected from the parents of the survey participants using self-administered, structured and pre-coded questionnaires., Results: Overall, 16.3% of adolescents were overweight or obese, but there was a marked gender difference in the prevalence with 19.4% (95% CI: 15.6% - 23.7%) of boys versus 13.2% (95% CI: 10.0% - 16.4%) ofthe girls being overweight or obese. In a multivariate model, age, residence, household wealth, and parents' body mass index were significantly associated with being overweight/obese (p < 0.05). After adjusting for age and gender, the odds of an adolescent being overweight or obese was 2.7 times (95% CI: 1.8 - 4.0) higher in urban areas compared to rural areas; and 1.6 times (95% CI: 1.04 - 2.5) higher for adolescents from rich compared to poor families. An adolescent with one or both parents being overweight was 1.8 times (95% CI: 1.3 - 2.5) more likely to be overweight themselves compared to those with normal weight parents., Conclusions: 1) Overweight and obesity is a major public health problem in adolescents in Xi'an City and is likely to increase rapidly in the near future; 2) Overweight and obesity is more prevalent in younger boys from richer families living in urban districts and whose parents were either overweight or obese.