Changes and urban-rural disparities in the physical health of children and adolescents:Influencing factors and policy implications
10.3969/j.issn.1674-2982.2025.04.005
- VernacularTitle:儿童青少年体质健康变化与城乡差异:影响因素及政策启示
- Author:
Yue-hui YU
1
;
Jing-xia QIN
;
Ya-xuan MAO
;
Zhen LI
Author Information
1. 中国人民大学公共管理学院 北京 100872;中国人民大学健康保障研究中心 北京 100872
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Children and adolescents;
Height;
Overweight;
Influencing factors;
Cohort;
Urban-rural disparities
- From:
Chinese Journal of Health Policy
2025;18(4):36-44
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objectives:To analyze factors associated with physical fitness and health in children and adolescents from the perspective of cohort and urban-rural differences in order to provide evidence for optimizing health intervention policies.Methods:Using data from the China Family Panel Studies(CFPS)from 2012 to 2020,this study examined trends in the health of children and adolescents in terms of height and weight.A hierarchical mixed-effects model was used to examine the impact of socioeconomic factors such as household income,health insurance and regional public health expenditure on physical fitness and health.Interaction models were also used to assess heterogeneous effects across birth cohorts and urban-rural contexts.Results:The physical fitness and health of children and adolescents in China have improved significantly,but urban-rural disparities persist.Household income,parental education and health insurance have protective effects on health,but the strength of these effects varies by cohort and between urban and rural areas.Height and weight outcomes for rural children were more closely associated with economic development and health insurance coverage.Conclusions:The factors associated with physical fitness and health in children and adolescents are dynamic.It is necessary to establish a tiered and targeted health promotion system,strengthening health insurance coverage and interventions in rural areas,while prioritizing family-based healthy lifestyle counselling in urban areas.
