Association between body stature and prevalence of reduced visual acuity in high school graduates in Hangzhou, China

The association between myopia and body stature is of great significance for understanding prevention and control of myopia. It has been extensively studied in previous studies but without consistent conclusions.

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between body stature and prevalence of reduced visual acuity in high school graduates in Hangzhou, China.

50,620 high school graduates who finished the physical examination of the national college entrance examination in 2020 were included. Data were derived from the database of physical examination of the national college entrance examination. Height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated according to the general formula. Visual acuity was measured by the standard logarithmic visual acuity chart.

The prevalence of reduced visual acuity was 90.38% in high school graduates. Girls had a higher prevalence of reduced visual acuity than boys (93.07% vs 87.60%, P < 0.001). Boys with normal visual acuity were significantly taller (P < 0.001) and heavier (P < 0.001) than those with reduced visual acuity. Girls with normal visual acuity were significantly taller than those with reduced visual acuity (P < 0.001). The prevalence of reduced visual acuity was significantly inversely associated with height in both boys (P < 0.001) and girls (P < 0.001). The risk of reduced visual acuity was the lowest in the fourth quartile of height. The prevalence of reduced visual acuity was significantly associated with BMI only in boys (P < 0.001). The risk of reduced visual acuity was the lowest in the third quartile of BMI.

The prevalence of reduced visual acuity was inversely associated with height in both boys and girls, and there was a U-shaped association with BMI only in boys.