Behavioral factors associated with detected myopia among 6–8-year-old Chinese children during out-of-school hours

Childhood myopia is a growing public health concern, particularly in East Asia. This study investigated the behavioral factors associated with myopia detection among 6–8-year-old Chinese children outside of school hours. A total of 936 children were recruited, and whether their detected myopia was defined as both the uncorrected distance visual acuity of < 1.0 and spherical equivalent measurements of ≤ -0.50 D (autorefractometer, without cycloplegia). Data on various factors such as outdoor activities (including outdoor sports and play) and parental myopia status were collected through a questionnaire completed by parents. We found that myopia status in both mothers and fathers, child age, and time spent on homework were significantly associated with detected myopia in children (p < 0.05). Daily outdoor sports (≥ 1 hour/day) were significantly associated with a reduced risk of detected myopia (p < 0.01). This study highlights the importance of modifiable risk factors such as outdoor sports participation and time spent on homework in preventing early school-aged childhood myopia.