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Egg and breakfast consumption are associated with some measures of muscular endurance, whereas sugary beverage consumption shows associations with several fitness indicators, particularly among girls, in children aged 10-12 years in Ningxia, China.

This repeated cross-sectional study of 3,970 children aged 10-12 in Ningxia, China, found that from 2019 to 2024, both boys and girls improved in lung capacity, muscular endurance, and speed-agility, alongside increases in BMI. Adjusted analyses showed modest associations between dietary behaviors and specific fitness outcomes: egg and breakfast consumption were linked to some muscular endurance measures, while sugary beverage consumption was associated with several fitness indicators, especially in girls.

Last updated: Aug 15, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Trends and Associations of Physical Fitness and Dietary Behaviors Among Children Aged 10-12 Years in Ningxia Between 2019 and 2024.

observational

Liu J, Zhang X · Nutrients (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 2019 to 2024 (repeated cross-sectional)
Intervention: Observational assessment of dietary behaviors (breakfast consumption, egg intake, milk intake, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption) and physical fitness.
Outcome: Physical fitness indicators including lung capacity, muscular endurance, and speed-agility performance.
Effect Size: N/A (specific effect sizes not reported in abstract)
Population: Children aged 10-12 years in Ningxia, China (1,960 boys and 2,010 girls).

Result:

PubMed: 42588133DOI: 10.3390/nu18152510

Mechanism Graph

Dietary behaviors such as breakfast and egg consumption may provide essential nutrients (e.g., protein, vitamins) that support muscle function and energy metabolism.
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Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption may negatively impact fitness through increased caloric intake, inflammation, or metabolic disturbances.
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These dietary factors may influence body composition and physical performance during late childhood.
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Result: Modest associations observed between specific dietary behaviors and fitness outcomes, with sex-specific patterns.

Limitations

  • ⚠Cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
  • ⚠Dietary behaviors were self-reported via questionnaires, which may introduce recall bias.
  • ⚠Only two time points (2019 and 2024) were analyzed, limiting trend analysis.
  • ⚠Potential residual confounding from unmeasured variables despite adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What dietary behaviors were associated with physical fitness in this study?▼

Egg and breakfast consumption were associated with some measures of muscular endurance, while sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was associated with several fitness indicators, particularly among girls.

Did physical fitness improve over time in children from Ningxia?▼

Yes, from 2019 to 2024, both boys and girls showed improvements in lung capacity, muscular endurance, and speed-agility performance, alongside increases in BMI.

What was the sample size and design of this study?▼

The study included 3,970 children aged 10-12 years (1,960 boys and 2,010 girls) using repeated cross-sectional data from the National Student Physical Fitness and Health Survey.

What are the implications of these findings for school-based interventions?▼

The findings suggest that integrated school-based strategies combining physical activity promotion, healthy dietary behaviors, and weight monitoring may support healthy development in this population.

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References

  1. 1.Liu J, Zhang X. "Trends and Associations of Physical Fitness and Dietary Behaviors Among Children Aged 10-12 Years in Ningxia Between 2019 and 2024.." Nutrients, 2026. PMID: 42588133 DOI: 10.3390/nu18152510
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.