ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | May 9, 2023
Synthesis May Be Better than Singleness— A Cross-sectional Study on Physical Activity Environment, Food Environment and Adolescents' BMI
Li Lu
Page no 28-48 |
DOI: 10.36348/jaspe.2023.v06i04.001
Objectives: To analyze the relationship between residential physical activity environment and food environment respectively and adolescent BMI level, the correlation between adolescent physical activity level and food intake behavior respectively and adolescent BMI level, as well as compare the difference of correlation between residential single physical activity environment or combined physical activity environment and adolescent BMI level, and the difference of correlation between food environment and adolescent BMI level. Methods: Based on the cross-sectional study design, a total of 1035 adolescents aged 11 to 17 years were surveyed in the urban area of Jinhua City. The final valid sample was 884 (including 411 males and 473 females) after screening, due to the methodological difficulties of the food intake frequency survey. The height and weight of the sample were measured, and the subjective perception evaluation of physical activity level, frequency of food intake, residential physical activity environment, and food environment were investigated. Results: (1) No significant difference exists in BMI between physical activity levels in the sample overall and among men, but a significant difference exists between physical activity levels among women (p<0.05). A significant difference exists in BMI between the frequencies of non-healthy food intake in the overall sample (p<0.05 or p<0.01). After differentiating by gender, there were significant differences in BMI among different frequencies of fried food, puffed food, and carbonated beverage intake among men (p<0.05 or p<0.01), and among women for different frequencies of puffed food, sugary drinks, and carbonated beverages (p<0.05 or p<0.01). (2) All indicators of physical activity environment in the residence were correlated with the physical activity level of adolescents and were significant (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The physical activity level of females compared to males was correlated with the safety of physical activity facilities and other environmental indicators in and around the residence and was significant after differentiating by gender. (3) Binary Logistic Regression results showed that when the independent variable was the combination of "physical activity and frequency of food intake", fried food (OR=1.771, p<0.05), puffed food (OR=1.762, p<0.05), and carbonated beverage intake frequency (OR=2.082, p<0.05) were risk factors for adolescent obesity. When the independent variable was a combination of "physical activity environment and food environment", fewer stray dogs roaming in and around the residence (OR=0.766, p<0.05), better physical activity venues/facilities (OR=0.661, p<0.05), and more free physical exercise areas (OR= 0.686, p < 0.01) were protective factors for adolescent obesity. Conclusion: The overall physical activity level of adolescents in Jinhua urban area was low and the frequency of unhealthy food intake was high. The differences between groups with different unhealthy food intake frequencies were significant. There were significant correlations between physical activity environment and physical activity level of adolescents, and food environment and frequency of unhealthy food intake of adolescents. A better physical activity environment and food environment in and around the residence contributed to adolescents showing relatively lower BMI levels. Female adolescents need to pay more attention to the combined effect of "physical activity environment and food environment" in obesity prevention and control, compared with male adolescents.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | May 19, 2023
Research on the Correlation between College Students’ Sports Participation and Mental Health
Bin Song, Pengfei Yu, Ke Lu, Mingze Xu
Page no 49-52 |
DOI: 10.36348/jaspe.2023.v06i04.002
In order to study the correlation between college students’ sports participation and mental health, this paper compiles a questionnaire based on the situation of college students’ sports participation, “activity and Meter comparison table” and “Chinese college students’ mental health scale”. Taking college students in Henan Province as the survey object, this paper studies the correlation between college students’ mental health and sports participation. It is found that the Pearson correlation coefficient between college students’ mental health and sports participation is 0.659. There are different degrees of correlation between college students’ sports participation and various factors of mental health. There are gender differences between male and female college students. College students who often participate in sports have better mental health.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | May 26, 2023
Assesment of Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances and Methods among Wrestlers, Boxers, and Bodybuilders in Kenya
Wanjiku Agnes Mandu, Dr. Festus Kiplamai, Prof. Andaje Mwisukha, Dr. Luka Waiganjo
Page no 53-61 |
DOI: 10.36348/jaspe.2023.v06i04.003
Measuring prevalence of usage of performance enhancing drugs in Boxing, wrestling, and bodybuilding is difficult. However, to fit their initiatives, National Anti-Doping Organizations are interested in knowing the numbers so that their scarce resources are not wasted. The purpose of this study was to establish knowledge levels, attitudes towards the use of performance enhancing substances (PES), among athletes from boxing, wrestling, and bodybuilding federations in Kenya. The study utilized cross-sectional analytical research design. The study population comprised of 1900 athletes from the three sports disciplines with a sample size of 384 athletes. Close ended questionnaires were used as the data collection instrument. Data obtained from the respondents was coded and organized for analysis by use of SPSS version 25. Hypotheses were tested using one-way ANOVA and t-test at confidence level of 0.05. Post hoc analysis was carried out using Duncan Multiple Range Test where differences were found to be significant. Results on usage showed that majority of the respondents (74.2%) never used food supplements (FS) to improve sports performance. Many of the respondents (93.8%) had never used traditional herbs (TH) to improve sports performance. 91.9% never used PES to improve sports performance. Majority of the respondents (96.6%) indicated as never having been given food supplements by a coach, doctor, or physiotherapist to enhance performance. On supply of PES, 91.7% of the respondents had no information of if medical practitioner, local chemist, or sports agents supplied PES and methods. The results of one-way ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference in the use of FS, TH, PES, and Methods by athletes from the three sports disciplines, [F (2, 381) = 24.050, p < 0.000]. In conclusion and in light of the limitations of this study generally majority of the respondents did not use PES and methods. There were also significant differences in use of PES and methods across the different sports. The study recommended that sports federation officials from boxing, wrestling and bodybuilding should have a put proper structures for imparting knowledge and proper attitude on use of performance enhancing substances among athletes.