This study aimed to investigate the associations between social jetlag (SJL), dietary behavior, physical activity, and weight status in Chinese youth. Data were derived from a cross-sectional survey in Wuhan, China in 2019. Information on SJL, the frequency of food and beverage consumption, physical activity, and BMI category were collected via a self-reported questionnaire. The Kruskal-Wallis test and ANOVA were conducted to determine differences in daily consumption frequency of food and beverage groups, BMI category, and physical activity among SJL groups. Logistic regressions and restricted cubic splines were performed to test the association between SJL and the incidence of overweight or obesity. A final sample of 3567 Chinese adolescents [mean (SD) age, 14.67 (1.72) years; 47.41% (1691) female] were included. Our findings demonstrated that adolescents with SJL may consume more unhealthy foods and fewer beneficial foods, while engaging in less moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and reporting higher BMIs. In addition, adolescents who experience more than 2 h of SJL had significant greater risk of overweight or obesity. Our findings on SJL of Chinese adolescents confirm the harmful effects of SJL and also provide insights into the etiology of obesity in Chinese adolescents.
Keywords: adolescent; body mass index; food consumption; physical activity; social jetlag.