Association Of Sport Participation, Ultra-processed Foods And Quality Of Life Among Chinese Adolescents

PURPOSE: Physical activity has been linked to quality of life (QoL). This study aims to examine the relationship between sports participation, consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), and QoL among Chinese adolescents, while exploring potential lifestyle interventions to improve their QoL. METHODS: Participants were randomly selected using a population proportionate sampling method from 186 middle and high schools across 17 cities in Shandong Province. Longitudinal data from 2021-2023 included 3,206 students (1,510 boys, aged 13.62 ± 1.69; and 1,696 girls, aged 14.09 ± 1.85). Sports type was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (Cronbach's α = 0.92; KMO = 0.95, p < 0.01). Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake was measured based on the NOVA classification system. QoL was evaluated using the Quality of Life Scale for Children and Adolescents (Cronbach's α = 0.95; KMO = 0.98, p < 0.01). Analyses including Hausman tests, robustness checks, heterogeneity analysis, variance inflation factor, and fixed effects (FE) models were conducted using Stata 17.0. RESULTS: The results revealed that skipping rope (β = 2.930, t = 9.02), roller skating (β = 1.942, t = 4.07, P < 0.01), football (β = 0.887, t = 1.84, P < 0.05), volleyball (β = 1.672, t = 3.73, P < 0.01), and basketball (β = 1.488, t = 3.97, P < 0.01) had significant positive relationships with adolescents' QoL. Baseball, badminton, skateboarding and ice skating had no significant relationships with adolescents' QoL. In addition, we found that instant noodles (β = -2.156, t = -5.14, P < 0.01), sugary beverages (β = -1.733, t = -3.54, P < 0.01), salty snacks or desserts (β = -1.154, t = -2.58, P < 0.01), and fried foods (β = -3.122, t = -6.39, P < 0.01) had a negative association with QoL. Meanwhile, fast food (β = -1.789, t = -3.69, P < 0.01) had a negative relation with adolescents' QoL while processed meat had no association with adolescents' QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Our research provides new insights that can guide interventions aimed at enhancing adolescents' QoL. Educators, policymakers, and health professionals can use these findings to develop more targeted and effective strategies to support healthy development in adolescents.