Relationship between the multidimensional 8-5-2-1-0 health guideline and adolescent obesity

In the context of growing concerns about maintaining and improving health, this study acknowledges the multifaceted aspects of health. This stands in contrast to conventional guidelines that often emphasize time and intensity of physical activity. This study aims to explore the significant advantages of embracing a more holistic approach to health recommendations, which take into account various contributing factors. The 8-5-2-1-0 guidelines, an extension of the Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 campaign, introduce a comprehensive model encompassing sleep duration, dietary habits, screen time, physical activity, and consumption of sugary beverages. This study explores the relationship between adolescents’ adherence to the 8-5-2-1-0 goals and their body mass index (BMI), utilizing self-evaluation surveys from The Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (KYRBS), involving 57,303 students aged 13-18 years. Through the application of the Kruskal-Wallis test and subsequent pairwise post hoc comparisons, analysis reveals that roughly 1% of adolescents achieved four or more goals, where approximately 80% fulfilled only one or none. Notably, statistically significant differences in BMI were observed among groups meeting different numbers of goals (p <.001). Pairwise comparison results indicated significant differences between the groups, particularly the no-goals group and those achieving one [p =.007], two [p =.000], three [p =.000], and four goals or more [p =.000]. Additionally, significant disparities emerged among the groups with two, three, and four goals or more (p <.001 in all cases), highlighting the influence of diverse goal adherence on BMI outcomes. These findings hold significant importance as they recognize the obstacles schools encounter in promoting and incorporating each facet of the health guidelines due to cultural and social norms, school environments, and financial limitations. The findings suggest a pragmatic approach, encouraging students to prioritize at least two feasible health behavior components. This approach can reduce the pressure of meeting all criteria simultaneously, potentially boosting motivation and improving the chances of positive health outcomes. This underscores the advantages of comprehensive health guidelines compared to those centered solely on physical activity.