Effects of outdoor activities on myopia among rural school children in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to identify the prevalence and risk factors of myopia among elementary school students in a rural area of Taiwan.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted. Elementary school students aged 7-12 years were recruited from the two schools located on Chimei Island. Data were obtained by means of a parent questionnaire and ocular evaluations that included axial length and cycloplegic autorefraction.


RESULTS
One hundred and forty five students were recruited for this study. Myopia prevalence was 31%. In univariate analysis, myopia was significantly associated with school year, myopic parent, and watching television (TV) (P < .0001, =0.007 and =0.029, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that myopia was significantly associated with school year and myopic parent. However, the effect of watching TV was not statistically significant (P=0.059). Outdoor activity showed significance and was inversely associated with myopia (Odds Ratio [OR]=0.3, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=0.1-0.9, P=0.025).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that outdoor activities might be an important protecting factor for myopia in rural school children.
Wu
Pei-Chang
PC
Department of Opthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Tsai
Chia-Ling
CL
Hu
Chia-Huo
CH
Yang
Yi-Hsin
YH
D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012574:Schools; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013690:Television; D014792:Visual Acuity