The Role of Family Intergenerational Dynamic Transmission in Shaping Health Behaviors and Outcomes among Chinese Adolescents

Abstract

Objectives: Family intergenerational dynamic transmission is considered to play an important role in influencing the overall lifestyle of an individual. Therefore, the current study also aims to determine the role of family intergenerational dynamic transmission in influencing the health behaviors and other associated outcomes among Chinese adolescents. Methods: For this purpose, the main focus was given on the eating health behaviors of the associated adolescents. For this study, data was collected from "Eating and Activity in Teens" (EAT) 2018. It was population-based research which focused on the physical activity and eating outcomes among different adolescents, focusing on their family intergenerational dynamic transmission (ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and family meal patterns). For this study, a total of 2,700 participants were considered (girl adolescents=1,400, boy adolescents=1,300). Linear regression analysis was used for determining the association between the associated health behaviors among adolescents and family intergenerational dynamic transmission. Results: The results obtained from this study show that meal patters, family meals, breakfast consumption and fruits and vegetables intake improved among the adolescent girls (p < 0.05). However, no significant association was observed within fast food intake. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was found to be insignificant (p > 0.05), while sedentary lifestyle was significant (p < 0.05). Moreover, BMI of the adolescent girls also provided significant outcomes (p < 0.05). It has also been observed that meal patters, family meals, breakfast consumption and fast-food intake improved among the adolescent boys (p < 0.05). Conclusion: However, no significant association was observed within the context of fruits and vegetables intake. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary lifestyle, also found to be significant (p < 0.05). Finally, BMI of the adolescent boys did not improve, showing insignificant outcomes (p > 0.05). In conclusion, family intergenerational dynamic transmission plays an important role in influencing health behaviors among adolescents.