Physical activity and constipation in Hong Kong adolescents

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Constipation is a common issue among adolescents.
• Lifestyle factors, including physical activity and sedentary behavior, are suspected contributors.
• Understanding these associations is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between constipation and levels of exercise, non-exercise physical activity (NEPA), and sedentary behaviors.
• To explore these associations in a large cohort of Hong Kong adolescents.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 33,692 secondary school students in Hong Kong.
• Data collected via anonymous questionnaires on lifestyle behaviors and constipation frequency.
• Logistic regression analysis used to determine adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for constipation.

Main Results:

• Constipation affected 15.6% of adolescents.
• Insufficient exercise (AOR 1.26), insufficient NEPA (AOR 1.21), and excessive sedentary behaviors (AOR 1.25) were all associated with increased constipation risk.
• A dose-response relationship was observed, with three inactive behaviors increasing constipation odds by AOR 1.88.

Conclusions:

• Constipation in Chinese adolescents is significantly associated with insufficient physical activity and excessive sedentary behaviors.
• A clear dose-response relationship exists between inactivity and constipation.
• Promoting physical activity could be a viable strategy for preventing constipation in adolescents.