Work

Adiposity and the prevalence, incidence and distribution of refractive errors in urban Vietnamese children

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: To examine associations between body mass index-for-age z-score (BAZ) and refractive error in schoolchildren in three Vietnamese cities. Methods: We analyzed school health examinations from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hai Phong, Vietnam, from 2022 to 2024. We included 49,415 examinations from 31,522 children aged 6 to 18 years, plus a Hanoi autorefractor sub-cohort for subtypes. Modified Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations estimated prevalence ratios (PR) by sex, adjusted for age, city, and year, with formal sex interaction tests. A supplementary analysis of consecutive visits assessed incident refractive error. Results: = 0.021 and 0.009). The PR per 1-SD higher BAZ was 1.01 in both sexes (95% CI 1.00, 1.02). Obesity was associated with higher prevalence in girls (PR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01, 1.10). Astigmatism was associated with BAZ in both sexes (PR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.05), and anisometropia in boys (PR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05, 1.14) but not girls. Myopia was not associated, and prior-visit BAZ did not predict incident refractive error. Conclusions: Adiposity showed small, nonlinear associations with refractive error, concentrated in astigmatism rather than myopia.

Source: Preventive Medicine Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2026.103672

Authors: Nhan Thi Ho, Khoi Pham Minh Tran

Institutions: Vinmec Times City International Hospital, VinUniversity, Vinmec Healthcare System

Language: English

Topic: Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies

Subfield: Ophthalmology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,610