Background: Peri-puberty is a critical period between 10-16 years of age, during which various environmental factors, such as family, peer group, school, and community characteristics, contribute to adolescent health and risk behaviors. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension, anemia, and malnutrition in school children of the peri-pubertal age group, along with associated social factors.
Material and Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted in school children from standard 7th to 9th who were present during the survey. They underwent history taking, anthropometric measurements, and clinical examination.
Results: The study included 300 school children aged 12-14 years. Most of the children were 14 years old (39.33%), boys (83%), and from socioeconomic class IV (50.67%). Of the total, 185 (61.67%) children were underweight, 85 (28.33%) were normal, 21 (7%) were overweight, and 9 (3%) were obese. Among the children, 32 (10.67%) had hypertension, with diastolic hypertension being more prevalent (19, 6.33%) than systolic hypertension (13, 4.33%). The prevalence of hypertension in girls (13.72%) was higher than in boys (10%). HTN was found more in obese children (5, 55.6%), followed by overweight children (7, 33.33%), normal children (14, 16.5%), and lastly underweight children (6, 3.2%). A total of 123 (41%) children were anemic, and the prevalence of anemia was insignificantly higher in girls (43.13%) than in boys (40.56%) (p-value=0.36, not significant). Out of 133 (44.33%) malnourished children, boys (46.18%) were more prevalent than girls (35.29%). Among 215 malnourished children, 104 (34.67%) children were anemic, and out of 85 well-nourished children, 19 (6.33%) were anemic.
Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension was higher in children from higher socioeconomic status, obese and overweight children. Anaemia was more common in undernourished children.
