Background: Several extrinsic factors interact with intrinsic factors to regulate and affect growth during childhood. Of the several extrinsic factors, social and cultural factors appear to be significantly linked with growth and nutrition.

Methods: The study was conducted over a period of 6 months over 400 school children from 8 different schools in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Height and head length were taken as anthropometric measurements to represent general and regional growth patterns. Social factors were assessed and recorded from school records to the extent possible and through questioning.

Results: Significant differences were noted in children with greater calorie deficit children showing slower growth. Maternal and Paternal educational appeared to positively affect anthropometric outcomes. No significant differences were noted between children of joint and nuclear families whereas elder siblings of the same family appeared taller than their younger siblings. Childhood illnesses appeared to adversely affect anthropometric assessment of nutritional status

Conclusions: Height and head length appeared to correlate well with each other and social factors are documented to affect anthropometric outcomes.