Abstract:
Objective To investigate the current status of family structure and its relationship with health-related behaviors among primary and secondary school students in Beijing, and to provide a basis for promoting health-related behaviors among these students.
Methods Using a stratified cluster random sampling method, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 26 403 primary school, junior high school, senior high school, and vocational high school students from 16 districts in Beijing from September 2022 to February 2023. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the correlation between health-related behaviors and cohabitants among primary and secondary school students.
Results The rate of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages ≥ 1 time per day was 7.5% (1 955/26 403) among primary and secondary school students in Beijing; the rate of consuming ≥ 3 kinds of vegetables per day was 44.2% (11 614/26 403); the rate of outdoor activities ≥ 2 hours during the day was 35.0% (8 838/26 403); and the rate of using mobile electronic devices ≥ 2 hours per day was 42.0% (8 547/26 403). The rate of depressive tendency among middle school students was 17.9% (3 130/17 486). Living with parents was a protective factor for consuming sugar-sweetened beverages ≥ 1 time per day (OR = 0.80), while living with grandparents was a risk factor (OR = 1.26). Living with parents was a protective factor for consuming < 3 kinds of vegetables per day (OR = 0.76) and depressive tendency (OR = 0.70). Living with grandparents (OR = 0.93) and siblings (OR = 0.89) were protective factors for < 2 hours of outdoor activity time per day. Living with parents was a protective factor for the rate of using mobile electronic products ≥ 2 hours per day (OR = 0.72), while living with grandparents (OR = 1.16) and siblings (OR = 1.12) were risk factors.
Conclusion Living with parents is the most important factor affecting health behaviors, and it is associated with most health-related behaviors and has a positive effect on living with parents. Living with grandparents and siblings may increase the risk of using electronic products, but it also increases outdoor activity time. In health education, interventions should be focused according to the different characteristics of cohabitants.