title: Anthropometry and Prevalence of Common Health Problems among School Going Children in Surathkal, Karnataka.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the anthropometric data of school children and to compare with the CDC and Agarwal centile Growth charts. The prevalence of thinness, stunting, overweight and obesity were estimated. Children were also screened for hypertension, refractory errors, dental problems, skin disease and other abnormalities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study was conducted in November in a central school in Surathkal, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India. All children from nursery up to 10(th) standard were screened.
  
  
  METHODS
  Weight and Height were measured using standard equipment and plotted on CDC and Agarwal Charts. BMI was calculated and plotted on both charts. Blood Pressure (BP) was taken using mercury sphygmomanometer by a trained nurse. Vision was tested using Snellens chart by refractionist. Dental evaluation was done by dentist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chi-square test and Student's unpaired t test were used for statistical analysis. A statistical package SPSS version 17.0 were used. p<0.05 was considered as significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total 755 children were screened. Among these 392 (51.9%) were females and 363 (48.1%) were males. Eighty five (11.3%) children had short stature and 283 (37.5%) had under nutrition when plotted on CDC chart. Values were lower when plotted on Agarwal charts. Thinness was more prevalent than obesity and overweight. Majority were normotensive though hypertension was noted in 6(0.8%) children and prehypertension in 14(1.9%).112 children (16.3%) had undetected refractory error. Common skin disease noted was T.Versicolor in 27 children. Common dental problem noted was Caries teeth (22.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weight and height were below the CDC centile charts. Under nutrition was more prevalent than overweight and obesity. Majority were normotensive. High prevalence of undetected refractory error and caries teeth were noted. Prevalence of skin disease was low.
authors: Professor, Department of Paediatrics, A.J Institute of Medical Sciences , Mangalore, India .
authors: Amitha Rao
authors: AR
authors: Aroor
authors: Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences , Surathkal, Mangalore, India .
authors: Sathyajith Karanth
authors: SK
authors: Airody
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, KVG Medical College , Sullia, Mangalore, India .
authors: Ramnath
authors: R
authors: Mahale
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College , Mangalore, India .
authors: Ravikiran
authors: R
authors: Sr
authors: Refractionist, Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences , Surathkal, Mangalore, India .
authors: Suresh
authors: S
authors: Shetty
authors: Assistant Professor, Department of Oromaxillary Surgery, Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences , Surathkal, Mangalore, India .
authors: Aarathi R
authors: AR
authors: Rao
keywords: Dental caries; Obesity; Refractory error; Stunting; Thinness
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