Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40596139›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

Physical activity levels and externalizing problem behaviors in Chinese adolescents using latent profile analysis.

Jianhua Zhang, Jingtao Wu, Shanguang Zhao, Ru He, Ruilin Xu, Xiaowei Feng

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Jianhua Zhang *School of Physical Education, Huanghuai University, Henan, China.
Jingtao Wu *School of Physical Education, Leshan Normal University, Sichuan, China.
Shanguang ZhaoDepartment of Physical Education, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China.
Ru HeSchool of Physical Education/School of Football, Hainan Normal University, Hainan, China.
Ruilin XuSchool of Physical Education (Main Campus), Zhengzhou University, Henan, China.
Xiaowei FengSchool of Physical Education/School of Football, Hainan Normal University, Hainan, China. fengxiaowei@std11.cn.

Funding

Henan Province Philosophy and Social Science Planning Project 2023BTY019Sichuan Province University Students Sports Association 23CDTXQ004University-Level Cultivation Project of Leshan Normal University KYPY2025-0014
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The study aims to explore the relationship between physical activity (PA) levels and externalizing problem behaviors among Chinese adolescents, to inform personalized intervention strategies based on scientific evidence. This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 10 to December 15, 2024, among middle and high school students in Sichuan, Guangdong, Shandong, Henan, and Jiangxi provinces in China. A total of 1,718 valid questionnaires were collected (mean age = 14.32 years, SD = 1.45). The sample included 761 middle school students and 957 high school students, PA levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ), and externalizing problem behaviors were measured using the Youth Self-Report (YSR) scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to classify PA levels and externalizing problem behaviors, and multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between demographic variables and externalizing problem behaviors. The study indicated that: (1) Adolescents in suburban areas exhibited the highest scores in externalizing problem behaviors and PA levels (p < 0.05), and externalizing problem behaviors significantly increased with age (p < 0.001); (2) Externalizing problem behaviors were categorized into three latent classes: low-problem group (75.1%), moderate-problem group (13.1%), and high-problem group (11.8%); (3) The high-problem group scored the highest across all indicators, especially in aggressive behaviors, whereas the low-problem group had the lowest levels of externalizing behaviors; (4) Multivariate logistic regression revealed that higher PA levels significantly reduced the likelihood of moderate-problem (OR = 0.71, p < 0.001) and high-problem behaviors (OR = 0.44, p < 0.001). Higher levels of physical activity are associated with reduced externalizing problem behaviors in adolescents. Based on these findings, it is recommended to incorporate regular physical activity into behavioral intervention programs and develop personalized support strategies tailored to adolescents' specific characteristics.

Indexed as

Adolescent BehaviorExerciseProblem BehaviorAdolescentChinaCross-Sectional StudiesEast Asian PeopleFemaleHumansMaleSelf ReportStudentsSurveys and QuestionnairesBehavior interventionExternalizing problem behaviorLatent profile analysisPhysical exerciseTeenagers

Identifiers

PMID40596139
PMCPMC12218033

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.