Myopia in Chinese Adolescents: Its Influencing Factors and Correlation with Physical Activities

PURPOSE: The study is conducted to analyze the risk factors and the protective factors of myopia in Chinese adolescents and its correlation with physical activities and then to provide 2 formulas to predict the probability of becoming myopic and the probability of preventing myopia. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study in which a questionnaire survey was conducted among 650 students aged 14-17 from 5 schools in Beijing in 2021. The students were divided into two groups: nonmyopia group and myopia group. Statistically significant variables were selected after the univariate analysis for a binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, 18 risk factors of myopia were found and 14 physical-activity-related protective factors were found. In the multivariate analysis, 5 independent factors were found to be positively related to myopia and could be used for calculating the probability of becoming myopic. The 5 factors are gender, staying up late playing smartphones, parental myopia, daily time spent on digital devices, and regular eye examinations. Five physical-activity-related factors were found to be positively related to the prevention of myopia and can be used for the calculation of the probability of preventing myopia. The 5 factors are regular physical activities, attitude towards physical education, daily time spent on in-school physical activities, daily time spent on after-school physical activities, and eye exercises. CONCLUSIONS: The influencing factors of myopia in adolescents mainly include heredity, habits of using eyes, and environment. Physical activities can effectively reduce the probability of becoming myopic in adolescents and promote eye health. Therefore, taking part in physical activities is an effective way to reduce the prevalence of myopia in adolescents.