Lifestyle choices mediate the association between educational attainment and BMI in older adults in China

A cross-sectional study

Bibliographic Data

ID22073244
AuthorsLu Wang (0000-0002-9250-3988, Weifang Medical University), Jianxue Ren (Weifang Medical University), Junli Chen (0000-0002-0271-4408, Weifang Medical University), Runguo Gao (Weifang Medical University), Bingyu Bai (0009-0003-9873-7974, Weifang Medical University), Hongqing An (0009-0009-4700-6112, Weifang Medical University), Weiqin Cai (0000-0002-9228-9918, Weifang Medical University, corresponding author), Anning Ma (Weifang Medical University, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume10
Pages1000953-1000953
Publication date2022-10-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.1000953
PMID36388355
OpenAlexW4307552593
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited41

As the Chinese population ages, unhealthfully high body mass index (BMI) levels in older adults are becoming a public health concern as an unhealthfully high BMI is an ill-being condition and can contribute to the risk of disease. Education and lifestyle choices affect BMI; however, the evidence on the relationships and interactions among these factors remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of lifestyle choices on educational attainment and BMI among older adults in China. Using the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS) 2018 panel data, this study integrated personal- and family-level economic data libraries, including 7,359 adults aged ≥60 years. Lifestyle parameters included smoking amount and screen time. Height and weight values were used to calculate BMI. The chi-square test, binary logistic regression analysis, stepwise regression analysis, and bootstrapping mediating effect tests were used for data analysis. Single-factor chi-square test revealed differences in BMI levels among groups defined by sex, age, residence, marital status, per capita annual household income, education years, and lifestyle choices. Binary logistic regression showed that age, residence, education years, smoking amount, and screen time influenced BMI. Stepwise regression results showed that education years, smoking amount, and screen time were associated with BMI ( t = 3.907, −4.902, 7.491, P < 0.001). The lifestyle variables had partial mediating effects on BMI. The mediating effect of lifestyle on BMI was 0.009, while smoking amount was 0.003, and screen time was 0.006. Unhealthfully high BMI levels are increasing among older adults in China and are affected by many factors. Lifestyle factors and educational attainment can interact, affecting BMI. Interventions should consider lifestyle factors and education attainment to help maintain healthy BMI and reduce unhealthfully high BMI incidence

Body mass index · China · Chinese people · Cross-sectional study · Educational attainment · Environmental health · Geography · Logistic regression · Marital status · Overweight · Population · Residence · Stepwise regression · Aging and Gerontology Research · Demography · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Gerontology · Internal Medicine

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