Anemia and Cardiometabolic Risk Among University Students in India: Findings from a Health Screening Program

This quantitative, retrospective observational study investigated risks of student health using electronic health records of an annual health screening program conducted at a private university in India. Data were analyzed from 13,628 students aged 18 to 30 years who participated in the health screening program between June 2023 and May 2024, ensuring that all students were included in the study, thus eliminating the risk of self-selection bias. Body mass index, blood pressure, and hemoglobin levels were measured and categorized according to international clinical standards. The results were analyzed to determine the prevalence of anemia, high blood pressure, and overweight among students using comparative statistical tests to determine differences between the sexes, as well as to determine associations between variables using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The results showed that there was a high burden of asymptomatic anemia and cardiometabolic risk factors among students, with significant differences between the sexes, as well as associations with age and body mass index.