[Study on relationship between outdoor activities and self-reported myopia among middle school students]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Myopia prevalence is increasing globally, particularly among school-aged children.
• Understanding the environmental and genetic factors influencing myopia is crucial for effective prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between outdoor activity levels and self-reported myopia in middle school students.
• To identify factors contributing to self-reported myopia, including parental myopia status.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 12,603 middle school students from four Chinese cities.
• Data collected via anonymous questionnaires on demographics, self-reported myopia, and outdoor activities.
• Logistic regression models used to analyze associations between myopia, outdoor activities, and parental myopia.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of self-reported myopia was 69.6%, increasing with grade level.
• Higher engagement in physical exercise and recreational activities was associated with a reduced risk of myopia.
• Staying indoors during extracurricular time significantly increased myopia risk (OR=1.58).
• Parental myopia status appeared to modify the protective effect of outdoor activities.

Conclusions:

• Outdoor activities demonstrate a protective effect against self-reported myopia in middle school students.
• Parental myopia status may influence the effectiveness of outdoor activities in myopia prevention.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay of genetics and environment in myopia development.