Relationship between lifestyle and mental health in preschool children

JIN Chunyan, ZHU Zhu

Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2024, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (3) : 255-260.

PDF(764 KB)
PDF(764 KB)
Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2024, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (3) : 255-260. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2023-0933
Original Articles

Relationship between lifestyle and mental health in preschool children

  • JIN Chunyan1, ZHU Zhu2
Author information +
History +

Abstract

Objective To explore lifestyle patterns among Chinese preschool school children by latent class analysis, and to analyze its associations with behavior problems from person-centered perspective,in order to provide theoretical reference for improving children's mental health. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among parents of children aged 3 - 6 years old in five kindergartens in Xuzhou city by cluster sampling from April to May 2021.The survey content included the demographic characteristics, rearing environment, life behaviors and behavior problems, which was measured by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire(SDQ). Latent class analysis was used to explore latent lifestyle patterns.Unadjusted and adjusted Logistic regression analysis was used to test the associations between latent lifestyle patterns and behavior problems. Results The sample size was 1 190, including 618 (51.9%) boys.Latent class analysis for 7 life behaviors showed that three latent class model was the best one: low-risk group (206, 17.3%), medium-risk group (721, 60.6%) and high-risk group (263, 22.1%).After controlling demographic factors, adjusted Logistic regression model showed that compared to low-risk group, children in high-risk group had more risks of developing hyperactivity (OR=2.129, 95%CI: 1.230 - 3.685), peer problems (OR=2.051, 95%CI: 1.316 - 3.197), and total difficulties (OR=2.081, 95%CI: 1.290 - 3.356). Conclusions Improper dietary balance and irrational structure of daily activities substantially escalate the risk of emotional and behavioral issues in preschool-age children.Helping preschool children form a healthy lifestyle pattern is conducive to preventing behavioral problems.

Key words

preschool children / lifestyle / behavior problems / latent class analysis

Cite this article

Download Citations
JIN Chunyan, ZHU Zhu. Relationship between lifestyle and mental health in preschool children[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2024, 32(3): 255-260 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2023-0933

References

[1] Goto M, Yamamoto Y, Saito R, et al.The effect of environmental factors in childcare facilities and individual lifestyle on obesity among Japanese preschool children: A multivariate multilevel analysis[J].Medicine, 2019, 98(41): e17490.
[2] Alvarez-Peregrina CC, Sanchez-Tena MA, Martinez-Perez CC, et al.Prevalence and risk factors of myopia in Spain[J].J Ophthalmol, 2019, 2019:1-7.
[3] Zeng L, Zeng Y, Zhou Y, et al.Diet and lifestyle habits associated with caries in deciduous teeth among 3-to 5-year-old preschool children in Jiangxi province, China[J].BMC Oral Health, 2018, 18(1): 1-9.
[4] 《中国居民膳食指南(2022)》在京发布[J].营养学报,2022,44(6): 521-522.
[5] 丁叶,谢臻城,罗红良,等.中国1~6岁儿童膳食营养状况调查与分析[J].中国食物与营养,2023, 29(11): 82-88.
Ding Y, Xie ZC, Luo HL, et al.Investigation and analysis of the dietary nutrition of children aged 1 - 6 years in China[J].Food and Nutrition in China, 29(11): 82-88.(in Chinese)
[6] Alonso-Martínez AM, Ramírez-Vélez R, García-Alonso Y, et al.Physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep and self-regulation in Spanish preschoolers during the COVID-19 lockdown[J].Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021, 18(2): 693.
[7] Deng Y, Zhang Z, Gui Y, et al.Sleep disturbances and emotional and behavioral difficulties among preschool-aged children[J/OL].JAMA Netw Open, 2023, 6(12): e2347623.
[8] McArthur BA, Tough S, Madigan S.Screen time and developmental and behavioral outcomes for preschool children[J].Pediatr Res, 2022, 91(6): 1616-1621.
[9] Ajmal A, Watanabe K, Tanaka E, et al.Eating behaviour-consumption frequency of certain foods in early childhood as a predictor of behaviour problems: 6-year follow-up study[J].Sultan Qaboos University Med J, 2022, 22(2): 225.
[10] 梁静,王朝晖,李燕晖,等.新型冠状病毒肺炎流行期间学龄前儿童心理健康状况调查及影响因素分析[J].中国儿童保健杂志,2020,28(9): 1033-1036, 1059.
Liang J, Wang ZH, Li YH, et al.Investigation on the mental health of preschool children and the relevant factors during coronavirus disease 2019[J].Chin J Child Health Care, 2020, 28(9): 1033-1036, 1059.(in Chinese)
[11] Lanza ST, Cooper BR.Latent class analysis for developmental research[J].Child Dev Perspect, 2016, 10(1): 59-64.
[12] 凌宇,胡惠南,游诗雨等.青少年网络成瘾的异质性及其相关因素:基于潜在剖面分析(英文)[J].中国临床心理学杂志, 2022, 30 (2): 282-290.
Ling Y, Hu H, You S, et al.The heterogeneity of internet addiction in adolescents and related factors: A latent profile analysis[J].Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2022, 30(2): 282-290.(in Chinese)
[13] Goodman R.Psychometric properties of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire[J].J Am Acad Child Psy, 2001, 40(11): 1337-1345.
[14] Du Y, Kou J, Coghill D.The validity, reliability and normative scores of the parent, teacher and self report versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in China[J].Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health, 2008, 2(1): 1-15.
[15] Nylund KL, Asparouhov T, Muthén B.Deciding on the number of classes in latent class analysis and growth mixture modeling: A Monte Carlo simulation study[J].Struct Equ Modeling, 2007,14(4): 535-569.
[16] 唐静燕,李新影.疫情居家期间父母教养方式与复学后欺凌受害及抑郁的关系[J].中国临床心理学杂志, 2022, 30(2): 377-381.
Tang JY, Li XY.Relationship of parenting styles during COVID-19 Isolation and bullying victimization and depression after returning to school[J].Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2022, 30(2): 377-381.(in Chinese)
[17] 王雪娜,杜雯雯,张萌,等.新型冠状病毒肺炎期间学龄前儿童屏幕暴露与心理健康[J].中国健康心理学杂志, 2021, 29(4): 564-568.
Wang XN, Du WW, Zhang M, et al.Investigation on screen time and psychosocial problems of preschoolers during the prevalence of COVID-19[J].Chinese Journal of Health Psychology, 2021,29(4): 564-568.(in Chinese)
[18] 管梦雪, 周楠.国内学前儿童饮食行为研究进展[J].中国公共卫生, 2020,36(5): 845-848.
Guan MX, Zhou N.Progress in researches on eating behaviors among preschool children inChina[J].Chin J Public Health, 2020, 36(5): 845-848.(in Chinese)
[19] Mattsson M, Murray DM, Kiely M, et al.Eating behaviour, physical activity, TV exposure and sleeping habits in five year olds: A latent class analysis[J].BMC Pediatrics, 2021, 21:1-11.
[20] Laxer RE, Brownson RC, Dubin JA, et al.Clustering of risk-related modifiable behaviours and their association with overweight and obesity among a large sample of youth in the COMPASS study[J].BMC Public Health, 2017, 17(1):1-11.
[21] 丁治保,吴灿魁,曹远保,等.南京市溧水区学龄前儿童睡眠状况及其对情绪与行为问题的影响[J].实用预防医学, 2022,29(4): 459-462.
Ding ZB, Wu CK, Cao YB, et al.Sleep status and its impact on emotional and behavior problems among preschool children in Lishui District, Nanjing[J].Pract Prev Med, 2022, 29 (04): 459-462.(in Chinese)
[22] Rodriguez-Ayllon M, Cadenas-Sánchez C, Estévez-López F, et al.Role of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the mental health of preschoolers, children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J].Sports medicine, 2019, 49(9): 1383-1410.
[23] Kahn M, Schnabel O, Gradisar M, et al.Sleep, screen time and behaviour problems in preschool children: An actigraphy study[J].Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2021, 30: 1793-1802.
[24] 朱珠,张旭,薛海平,等.学龄前儿童屏幕暴露与情绪行为问题的相关性研究——睡眠时间的调节作用[J].陕西学前师范学院学报,2021,37(10):61-68.
Zhu Z, Zhang X, Xue HP, et al.The associations between screen exposure and problems in emotion and behavior among preschool children — The moderating effect of sleep duration[J].Journal of Shaanxi Xueqian Normal University, 2021, 37(10):61-68.(in Chinese)
[25] Fang K, Mu M, Liu K, et al.Screen time and childhood overweight/obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J].Child Care Heath Dev, 2019, 45(5): 744-753.
[26] Chen B, van Dam RM, Tan CS, et al.Screen viewing behavior and sleep duration among children aged 2 and below[J].BMC Public Health, 2019, 19(1): 1-10.
[27] Kumar RR, Singh L, Thakur A, et al.Role of vitamins in neurodegenerative diseases:A review[J].CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets, 2022, 21(9): 766-773.
[28] Schulz D.Depression development: From lifestyle changes to motivational deficits[J].Behav Brain Res, 2020, 395: 112845.
[29] Wise RA, Jordan CJ.Dopamine, behavior, andaddiction[J].J Biomed Sci, 2021, 28(1): 1-9.
[30] Bentlage E, Ammar A, How D, et al.Practical recommendations for maintaining active lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic literature review[J].Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020, 17(17): 6265.
[31] López-Gil JF, Oriol-Granado X, Izquierdo M, et al.Healthy lifestyle behaviors and their association with self-regulation in Chilean children[J].Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020, 17(16): 5676.
[32] Marsh S, Taylor R,Galland B, et al.Results of the 3 Pillars Study (3PS), a relationship-based programme targeting parent-child interactions, healthy lifestyle behaviours, and the home environment in parents of preschool-aged children: A pilot randomised controlled trial[J].PLoS One, 2020, 15(9): e0238977.
PDF(764 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/