Economic Growth and Weight of Children and Adolescents in Urban Areas: A Panel Data Analysis on Twenty-Seven Provinces in China, 1985-2014

Background: With the rapid economy development of China, the overweight and obesity rates of school-age children and adolescents in China have been on the rise. The purpose of this study is to explore how powerful an influence economic growth has on the weight of children and adolescents and examine the relationship between China's macroeconomic development and weight of children and adolescents in the past 30 years using provincial panel data collected from more than 1 million children and adolescents. Methods: Panel data from seven longitudinal surveys (1985, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2014) of the Chinese National Surveys on Students' Constitution and Health, which include students, ages 7-22 years, from 27 provinces, were analyzed. Fixed-effects models were used to estimate the associations. Results: (1) For every 1% increase in per capita disposable income, the average weight of male and female students increased by similar to 0.035% (p < 0.01) and 0.039% (p < 0.01), respectively. (2) Linear relationships were found between economic growth and weight of both boys and girls during the 30 years of the survey. The positive effect of the Chinese economy on weight of children and adolescents has been gradually increasing persistently. Conclusion: Linear relationships exist between economic growth and weight status of children and adolescents. The significant positive effect of the Chinese economy on weight of children and adolescents has been gradually and persistently increasing.