Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
06:51

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Published on: July 27, 2022

1.9K

Determinants of childhood obesity in China

Changzheng Yuan1, Yanhui Dong2, Hui Chen1

  • 1School of Public Health, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.

The Lancet. Public Health
|November 23, 2024
PubMed

Insights

China faces a significant childhood obesity epidemic, with the largest global child population affected. This review examines the causes and risk factors for childhood obesity in China, emphasizing school-aged children and multilevel determinants.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • China has undergone a significant nutritional transition over the last 40 years.
  • This transition is marked by a growing burden of overnutrition among children.
  • China now has the world's largest population of children experiencing obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the epidemiology of childhood obesity in China.
  • To identify the determinants and risk factors contributing to this epidemic.
  • To focus specifically on school-aged children and multilevel factors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epidemiological data on childhood obesity in China.
  • Analysis of variations across age, gender, and region.
  • Description of multilevel obesogenic determinants (macro, meso, micro levels).

Main Results:

  • Substantial variations in childhood obesity prevalence exist across age, gender, and geographic regions in China.
  • Multilevel factors, including social, cultural, environmental, school, community, family, and individual influences, contribute to obesity.
  • The primary drivers are macro-level socio-economic and technological environments, coupled with obesogenic school, community, and family settings, and unhealthy behavior adoption.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the complex, multilevel drivers of childhood obesity in China is crucial.
  • Effective prevention and intervention strategies require tailored, scalable approaches.
  • Addressing the root causes within the broader environment is imperative for controlling childhood obesity.

More Related Videos

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

27.0K
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil06:48

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Published on: July 29, 2020

4.5K

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
379
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
20.4K
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
42
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development01:30

Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development

Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
22
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
535
Signs of Puberty01:27

Signs of Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
257