Growth, development, and health status of primary school students in Binzhou city: an analysis based on health examination data for 6-12-Year-olds

Background With socioeconomic development and lifestyle changes, the spectrum of health issues among Chinese children has shifted, with overweight/obesity and visual impairment emerging as major public health challenges. As a representative city in Northern Shandong Province, Binzhou requires localized data to understand the health status of its primary school students and to inform targeted intervention. This study systematically analyzes the growth, development, and major health problems among primary school students aged 6–12 years in Binzhou, aiming to provide a scientific basis for regional disease prevention and health promotion. Methods A cross-sectional design was employed, drawing on health examination records from 4,281 primary school students aged 6–12 years in Binzhou. Data collected included age, sex, height, weight, vision, and dental caries. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS. Categorical data were described as frequencies (percentages), and intergroup comparisons were assessed using the chi-squared test, with a significance level of α = 0.05. Results A total of 4,281 primary school students were included, comprising 51.81% males and 48.19% females. The principal health problems identified were overweight, obesity, visual impairment, and dental caries. Issues related to stunted growth were minimal. The detection prevalences of overweight, obesity, color vision deficiency, and visual impairment differed significantly by gender ( P < 0.05). Conclusion The health issues among primary school students in Binzhou have shifted from traditional malnutrition toward lifestyle-related problems such as overweight, obesity, visual impairment, and dental caries. These conditions show high prevalence with distinct age- and gender-related patterns. Education and health authorities should implement precise, phased prevention and control strategies, with a particular emphasis on overweight, obesity, visual impairment, and dental caries in younger children.