Search

Growing evidence exists about the candidate factors of childhood cognitive performance, but mainly limited to single-exposure studies. We sought to systematically and simultaneously identify and validate a wide range of potential modifiable factors for childhood cognitive performance. We used data from five waves of data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS-2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018). Our analytical sample was restricted to those children aged 2–5 at baseline with valid exposure information. A total of 80 modifiable factors were identified. Childhood cognitive performance was assessed using vocabulary and mathematics test at wave 5. We used an environment-wide association study (EnWAS) to screen all exposure-outcome associations independently and used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) variable selection algorithm to identify factors associated with cognitive performance. Multivariable linear model was then used to evaluate causal relationships between identified factors and cognitive performance. Of the 1305 participants included in the study (mean ± SD, 3.5 ± 1.1 years age at baseline, 45.1% girls). Eight factors were retained in the LASSO regression analysis. Six factors across community characteristics (percentage of poverty in the community; percentage of children in the community), household characteristics (family size), child health and behaviors (mobile internet access), parenting behaviors and cognitive enrichment (parental involvement in child' s education), and parental wellbeing (paternal happiness) domains were significantly associated with childhood cognition. Using a three-stage approach, this study validates several actionable targets for improving childhood cognitive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Household income predicts early adolescents' cognitive development. However, the mechanism underlying this association and protective factors are unclear. This study assessed one-year longitudinal data to examine whether perceived discrimination mediated the association between household income and executive function and the moderating role of shift-and-persist. 344 early adolescents in rural China were included in the study (mean = 10.88 years, SD = 1.32 years, girls: 51.74%). The latent variable model revealed that household income predicted early adolescents' cognitive flexibility and working memory in the subsequent year through perceived discrimination. Shift-and-persist moderated the negative effects of perceived discrimination on cognitive flexibility: perceived discrimination impeded cognitive flexibility only among early adolescents with low shift-and-persist. The findings highlight perceived discrimination in the relation between household income and early adolescents' executive function and underscore the protective role of shift-and-persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although overeating increases risk for chronic illness and premature mortality, evolutionary life-history theorists posit that such behaviors arise as a potential outcome of using fast life-history strategies to function in environments that are harsh or unpredictable. To test this premise, we examined links between harsh, unpredictable living conditions (HULC), the adoption of fast life-history (LH) strategies, and overeating among early adolescents using a four-wave longitudinal design. Participants were 2547 Chinese adolescents (1202 girls, 1345 boys) who completed baseline questionnaires assessing experiences of HULC, preferences for use of fast LH strategies, and overeating. Measures were re-administered in follow-ups 7, 13, and 20 months later. Analyses indicated HULC predicted increased use of fast LH strategies within each gender. However, fast LH strategy adoption contributed to increases in overeating only among girls. Findings supported specific tenets of life-history theory and underscored gender as an important consideration in understanding links between living conditions, the adoption of fast LH strategies, and risk for overeating. Interventions focused on reducing poverty and increasing stable, nurturing family, and community environments may aid in reducing overeating and obesity for adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the ecological systems theory, this study examined the multiple risk factors experienced by children from low-income families in China and their subsequent impact on children's psychological adaptation. A cumulative ecological risk questionnaire was constructed to examine the exploratory and descriptive risk factors most commonly exposed to children in families, schools and communities. The study sample consisted of 428 children from low-income families (N = 428; Mage = 12.35, SD = 2.51) from 20 ordinary primary and secondary schools across China. We conducted an exploratory latent class analysis using the responses from the cumulative ecological risk questionnaire. The results showed that a three-group solution fit the data best, with the following breakdown: "low-risk" = 41.1%, "family-risk" = 21.7%, and "school-risk" = 37.2%. The three groups showed significant differences in terms of psychological adaptation. The "low-risk" group exhibited fewer problem behaviors and higher prosocial behavior than the other groups. The "family-risk" group showed more significant adaptation difficulties, while the "school-risk" group showed lower levels of prosocial behavior. The results suggest that the ecological risks experienced by children from low-income families had significant group heterogeneity, which may further affect their psychological adaptation. Highlights: The ecological risks of children from low-income families were heterogeneous and may affect children's psychological adaptation. Latent class analysis favored a three-group solution: low-risk, family-risk, and school-risk groups. The three groups showed significant differences in terms of the children's psychological adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]