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A 3-year Longitudinal Study of Pocket Money, Eating Behavior, Weight Status: The Childhood Obesity Study in China Mega-Cities

Author

Listed:
  • Lu Ma

    (Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710000, China
    Equal contributors.)

  • Zeping Fang

    (Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710000, China
    Equal contributors.)

  • Liwang Gao

    (Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Yaling Zhao

    (Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Hong Xue

    (Department of Health Administration and Policy, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 20170, USA)

  • Ke Li

    (Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Youfa Wang

    (Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710000, China)

Abstract

The associations between children’s pocket money and their eating behaviors and weight status have not been examined using longitudinal data in China. Examined child and parental factors associated with children’s pocket money, and longitudinal effects of pocket money on children’s eating behaviors and weight status. Data were collected in 2015, 2016, and 2017 from 3261 school-age children and their parents in mega-cities across China (Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Xi’an, Chengdu). Children’s weight, height, and waist circumference were measured; pocket money and eating behaviors were self-reported. Mixed effect models were used. Older children received more pocket money than younger children (incident rate ratio (IRR) = 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15, 1.26). Fathers gave their children more pocket money than mothers did (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.30). Children with fathers having ≥ college education received more pocket money than the others did (IRR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.40). Some nutrition-related parenting behaviors and attitude were also associated with children’s pocket money. Compared with children receiving no weekly pocket money, those having 1–10 or 10–30 or >30-yuan weekly pocket money were 12.0–136% more likely to consume unhealthy foods and were 66–132% more likely to be overweight or obese. Some child and parental factors were associated with children’s pocket money, which increased risks of having unhealthy eating behaviors and being overweight and obese.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu Ma & Zeping Fang & Liwang Gao & Yaling Zhao & Hong Xue & Ke Li & Youfa Wang, 2020. "A 3-year Longitudinal Study of Pocket Money, Eating Behavior, Weight Status: The Childhood Obesity Study in China Mega-Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:9139-:d:458221
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Barnet-Verzat, Christine & Wolff, Francois-Charles, 2002. "Motives for pocket money allowance and family incentives," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 339-366, June.
    2. He, W. & James, S.A. & Giovanna Merli, M. & Zheng, H., 2014. "An increasing socioeconomic gap in childhood overweight and obesity in China," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(1), pages 14-22.
    3. Murasko, Jason E., 2009. "Socioeconomic status, height, and obesity in children," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 7(3), pages 376-386, December.
    4. Peng Jia & Hong Xue & Ji Zhang & Youfa Wang, 2017. "Time Trend and Demographic and Geographic Disparities in Childhood Obesity Prevalence in China—Evidence from Twenty Years of Longitudinal Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-9, March.
    5. Youfa Wang & Liang Wang & Hong Xue & Weidong Qu, 2016. "A Review of the Growth of the Fast Food Industry in China and Its Potential Impact on Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, November.
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