Relationship between the use of disposable plastic food containers and executive function among primary school students in a district of Chongqing

WANG Wenhe; WU Dan; LIU Shudan; YE Siyan; CUI Chengpeng; LIU Qin

doi:10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025113

Volume 46 Issue 6

Jun. 2025

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WANG Wenhe, WU Dan, LIU Shudan, YE Siyan, CUI Chengpeng, LIU Qin. Relationship between the use of disposable plastic food containers and executive function among primary school students in a district of Chongqing[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(6): 811-815. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025113

Citation:

WANG Wenhe, WU Dan, LIU Shudan, YE Siyan, CUI Chengpeng, LIU Qin. Relationship between the use of disposable plastic food containers and executive function among primary school students in a district of Chongqing[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(6): 811-815. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025113

Citation:

WANG Wenhe, WU Dan, LIU Shudan, YE Siyan, CUI Chengpeng, LIU Qin. Relationship between the use of disposable plastic food containers and executive function among primary school students in a district of Chongqing[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(6): 811-815. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025113

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Relationship between the use of disposable plastic food containers and executive function among primary school students in a district of Chongqing

doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025113

Research Center for Environment and Population Health, College of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing (400016), China

Received Date: 2025-01-14
Rev Recd Date: 2025-02-20

Available Online: 2025-07-04

Publish Date: 2025-06-25

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To investigate the impact of disposable plastic food container usage on the executive function among primary school students, so as to provide the evidence for the formulation of relevant health policies. Methods From November 2023 to May 2024, a convenience sampling method was employed to select 1 118 grade 1-3 students from three primary schools in a central district of Chongqing. A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics and data on disposable plastic food container usage. Executive function of primary school students was assessed using the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI). Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the associations between disposable plastic food container usage and heating with executive function among primary school students. Results Median scores for working memory, inhibition and total executive function among primary school students were 32 (26, 39), 33 (28, 38), and 66 (54, 75), respectively. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that among girls, higher frequencies of eating meals from plastic lunchboxes were associated with higher CHEXI working memory scores (β=1.29), inhibition scores (β=1.57), and total executive function scores (β=2.85) (P < 0.05). Compared to girls who did not use plastic cups or drank bottled water, those who used plastic cups for drinking or drank bottled water had higher scores in working memory (β=2.63), inhibition (β=2.10), and total executive function (β=4.73); compared to girls who did not eat canned food from metal cans, those who ate such food had higher scores in working memory (β=3.62), inhibition (β=1.89), and total executive function (β=5.50) (P < 0.05).Among boys, higher frequencies of eating meals from plastic lunchboxes were associated with higher inhibition scores (β=1.13) (P < 0.05). Compared to girls who ate with a plastic lunch box and did not heat it when they ate, girls who more frequent heating plastic lunchboxes with food inside had higher working memory scores (β=5.39), inhibition scores (β=4.29), and total executive function scores (β=9.68) (P < 0.05). Conclusions The use of disposable plastic food containers may adversely affect executive function of primary school students, with a more pronounced effect observed in girls. Strengthened regulation of disposable plastic products and health education are urgently needed.
- Plastics,
- Food,
- Executive function,
- Regression analysis,
- Students

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References(35)

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