To investigate the relationship between Leisure time physical activity (LTPA) patterns and PhenoAgeAccel in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D), emphasizing the role of regular LTPA in mitigating biological aging. This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018, including 4,134 adults with T2D. Multivariable linear regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) methods were employed to assess the relationship between LTPA and Phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel), with segmented likelihood ratio tests to detect nonlinear thresholds. Stratified regression and interaction tests were conducted for robust analysis. Compared to individuals with no LTPA patterns, those with regular LTPA patterns had significantly lower PhenoAgeAccel scores (β = -1.164, 95% CI: -1.651 to -0.677, P < 0.0001), while the “Weekend Warrior” and “Inactive-LTPA” patterns showed no significant effects. A nonlinear threshold effect was identified; below 594.57 min of weekly LTPA, there was a significant negative correlation (β = -0.002, 95% CI: -0.003 to -0.001, P = 0.000), with gender-specific effects present. Regular LTPA significantly reduces phenotypic age acceleration in T2D patients, with a nonlinear threshold effect indicating that moderate physical activity is most beneficial. These findings highlight the necessity of personalized physical activity recommendations and provide evidence for public health strategies to promote healthy aging in T2D patients.

Scientific fitness literacy (SFL) is a holistic concept based on physical literacy but has a smaller scope and is more specific to exercise and scientific fitness. We developed an instrument to assess SFL and explored the differences and similarities in the effects of the home environment on children’s SFL. Data from a nationwide stratified random sample of children were analyzed using multiple linear regression. SFL scores were significantly lower for preschoolers than for school-age children. The family environment has an impact throughout the preschool and school years, with school-age children’s SFL being less influenced by family members than preschool children; screen time has a negative impact on their SFL but reducing the number of electronic devices and increasing parental physical activity and modeling can alleviate its impact. The economic status of the family is crucial, with sports consumption expenditure and household sports equipment ownership being favourable factors for children’s SFL. Positive parental attitudes and sporting habits have a positive impact on their children’s SFL. The findings of this study can be used to improve children’s SFL in the home environment and to take effective measures to avoid the risk factors.

With rising incomes in developing countries, the required necessary physical activity declines and the availability of snacks increases, further causing obesity in adolescents. The study was a longitudinal two-stage observational study of 74 overweight and obesity adolescents distinguishing between school and home environment phases. Data were collected at three time points (mid-semester (T0), end of semester (T1), and end of the winter holidays (T2)), and explorations were conducted using multivariate linear regression and Granger causality tests to investigate how changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA), snacking habits (proportion of snack calorie, PSC; proportion of snack calories from protein, PSCP) in multiple stages and how their changes affect body composition. The results showed that during the semester phase, increases in ΔMVPA and ΔPSCP and decreases in ΔPSC were associated with decreases in ΔBFP (Δ = post-timepoint value − pre-timepoint value). During the holiday phase, decreases in ΔPSCP, MVPA (T1), and PSCP (T1), and increases in ΔPSC were associated with increases in ΔBFP. Only MVPA having a positive predictive effect causally on FFM. Snacking habits have a significant impact on body composition changes in adolescents, and reducing snack intake and choosing high-protein snacks are critical to controlling obesity in adolescents, especially during the holiday period. Strategies to increase MVPA should also be implemented to increase FFM briefly indirectly control obesity.

Introduction: This study implements the School-Family-Research Integrated Health Promotion Program for Overweight and Obesity (SFR-OO), which combines exercise and dietary interventions to combat adolescent obesity. It aims to enhance body composition, exercise motivation, SE, and physical fitness. By using a cross-lagged model, the study will explore causal relationships between self-esteem (SE), exercise self-efficacy (ESE), physical activity, and body composition.Methods: Ninety-eight adolescents were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group received the SFR-OO intervention for 12 weeks. Assessments included physical fitness tests, body composition, and psychological indicators.Results: While both groups showed a time effect (p < 0.001), the intervention resulted in a significant decrease in body fat percentage (BFP) compared to the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.038). Improvements were greater for knee push-ups, standing long jump, 4 x 10 meters round trip run and supine trunk raise time as well as psychometric measures (p < 0.001). In the intervention group, higher baseline MVPA significantly predicted greater reductions in BFP at 12 weeks (β = −0.169), whereas no such predictive relationship was found in the control group.Discussion: The 12-week SFR-OO effectively enhanced adolescents’ body composition, physical fitness, and psychological outcomes. However, SE and ESE did not significantly predict MVPA or BFP. MVPA modestly predicted reduced BFP only within the intervention group, suggesting a context-dependent effect. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under the registration number NCT06524908.

Soccer participation among children and adolescents is low in China. To achieve a coordinated development of soccer in all regions and to promote the physical health of children and adolescents, this study aims to identify the influencing factors regarding the participation of children and adolescents in soccer programs through a cross-sectional analysis of the “soccer population” of children and adolescents. A total of 38,258 children and adolescents aged 7–18 years were included in this study. In addition, the analysis was conducted by dividing the regions where the children and adolescents live into three parts according to socioeconomic status, and by incorporating five dimensions, including environment, family, school, community, and individual levels to find the influencing factors of children and adolescents’ participation in soccer. Chi-square test, Pearson’s correlation, and one-way logistic regression analyses were used. The results showed that the area (r = 0.487) and the average annual precipitation (r = −0.367) were associated with the participation of children and adolescents in soccer programs. Moreover, the percentage of children and adolescents who participated in soccer programs (24.5%) was higher than those who liked soccer or were proficient in it (14.4%). Meanwhile, parental encouragement and support (OR = 0.627; 95% CI, 1.102–3.179), as well as the accessibility (OR = 0.558; 95% CI, 1.418–2.155), availability (OR = 1.419; 95% CI, 1.179–1.707), and safety of sports facilities (OR = 0.316; 95% CI, 0.614–0.865), influence children and adolescents’ participation in soccer programs.

Globally, approximately 148.1 million children are affected by stunting, significantly threatening their health and cognitive development. This nationwide cross-sectional study uniquely focused on sports-related factors, including family sports-related spending, duration of physical activity, and consistent participation in sports. Using data involving 5,017 children under 5 years old from 471 counties across 31 provinces in China, significant socioeconomic, regional, and behavioral correlates of stunting were identified. Stunting prevalence differed notably by gender and geographical division, with boys having significantly higher odds of stunting compared to girls (OR = 1.539; 95% CI: 1.238–1.913; p < 0.001), and children in East China having significantly lower odds compared to those in Northwest China (OR = 0.566; 95% CI: 0.398–0.804; p = 0.002). Non-enrolled children exhibited significantly increased odds of stunting (OR = 2.266; 95% CI: 1.360–3.775; p = 0.002). Increased sports-related family spending was associated with lower odds of child stunting (OR = 0.730; 95% CI: 0.580–0.919; p = 0.007). Furthermore, children with insufficient daily physical activity (0–15 min/day) were more likely to experience stunting compared to those exercising over 60 min per day (OR = 1.413; 95% CI: 1.030–1.937; p = 0.032). Long-term consistent participation in sports (participation duration over 3 months) significantly reduced stunting risk (< 1 month vs. >3 months, OR = 1.432; 95%CI: 1.023–2.006, p= 0.036). Screen time and sleep duration showed no significant associations with childhood stunting in this study (p > 0.05). Thus, we recommend increasing family sports-related investments and encouraging regular and long-term participation in physical activities, especially targeting low-income families, to support child growth and reduce the risk of stunting.