Role of body mass category in the development of faulty postures in school-age children from a rural area in south-eastern Poland: a cross-sectional study

Occurrence of Body Posture Abnormalities in Overweight and Obese Children Aged 5-6 Years-Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to assess the occurrence of body posture disorders and their changes under the influence of a physioprophylactic program in children depending on body weight.

METHODS

In the examined children, the general and segmental body composition and body posture were determined using a physiotherapeutic assessment based on the Kasperczyk method. Mass, overall, and segmental body composition were determined using the bioelectrical impedance method using a TANITA body composition analyzer. The study group of 76 children was divided due to body weight disorders into Group I (n = 51), in which BMI and fat mass values were within the normative limits for age and gender, and Group II (n = 19), comprising children whose body weight exceeded the norm and/or fat mass exceeded normative values. The examined children underwent a physioprophylactic. The program was conducted by qualified physiotherapists for 12 weeks, once a week for 30 min. The therapeutic program was focused on physioprevention of being overweight and the correction of body posture.

RESULTS

A distal distribution of fat mass was observed in the examined group. Asymmetry in the sagittal plane was found in 35% of children. No statistically significant differences were found in the presence of asymmetry in the sagittal plane between the groups. No statistically significant differences were found in the occurrence of posture irregularities between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no changes in the weight and body posture of the examined children under the influence of the physiotherapy program. The lack of correlation in the examined group between body weight and posture irregularities in 5-6-year-olds may suggest the acquisition of posture defects as a consequence of the persistence of overweight or obesity.

Evaluation of Muscle Oxygen Dynamics in Children's Gait and Its Relationship with the Physiological Cost Index

The response of muscle oxygen saturation, which is an index for the energy metabolism of muscles during walking in children, and its relationship to the physiological cost index, which indicates walking efficiency, are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate muscle oxygen saturation in lower extremity muscles during walking in children, its changes with age, and the relationship between the physiological cost index. The oxygen saturation was measured by the amount of change during a two-minute walk, and the physiological cost index was calculated from the change in heart rate before and after exercise and walking speed. Results were compared for each muscle, and the correlation between the two was examined. Changes in muscle oxygen saturation were greater in the lower leg muscles, significantly greater in the tibialis anterior at six to seven years, and in the gastrocnemius medial head at eight to ten years. The physiological cost index was significantly correlated with changes in muscle oxygen saturation in the tibialis anterior (r = 0.44, p < 0.001). The lower leg muscles were metabolically active in children’s gait, and their response varied with age. Moreover, the muscle oxygenation dynamics of the tibialis anterior may influence walking efficiency.

Childhood Obesity and Incorrect Body Posture: Impact on Physical Activity and the Therapeutic Role of Exercise

Obesity is associated with various dysfunctions of the organism, including musculoskeletal problems. In this narrative review, we aim to consider postural problems in children and adolescents with obesity, focusing on the relationship with its negative impact on physical activity, and to discuss the role of exercise as a therapeutic approach. The body reacts to excess weight by changing its normal balance, and the somatosensory system of children with obesity is forced to make major adjustments to compensate for postural problems. These adaptations become more difficult and tiring if activities that require continuous postural changes and multi-tasking are engaged in. Children with obesity have less body control and functional ability due to the excess fat mass, which reduces their ability to perform motor skills and take part in physical activity. Appropriate early interventions for the management of musculoskeletal problems are needed to ensure healthy growth and to prevent comorbidities in childhood and adulthood. Prevention programs must be based not only on the reduction of body weight but also on the definition of correct postural habits from an early age. It is equally important to provide correct information on the types and doses of physical activity that can help prevent these problems.

The Incidence of Body Posture Abnormalities in Relation to the Segmental Body Composition in Early School-Aged Children

Children are exposed to multiple factors that contribute to an increase in body mass and the development of posture defects. The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between the segmental distribution of fat mass and muscle mass and the incidence of body posture abnormalities in early school-aged children. A total of 190 children aged 7-9 were included in the research project. The examined children were divided according to age (class level) into three groups. Height, weight and body composition, BMI, and body posture were determined. Thoracic and lumbar spine abnormalities occurred most frequently in the examined children (7-95%, 8-92%, 9-89.5%). During the assessment of the segmental body composition, the lowest fat-fat-free index was found in the trunk. The number of abnormalities of the cervical spine, pelvis, and lower extremities increases with age. The number of abnormalities of the thoracic and lumbar spine, as well as of upper extremities and the pectoral girdle decreases with age. Body posture abnormalities are correlated with body composition and in particular with the fat mass percentage. The segmental body com-position analyzer can be used to screen for posture defects.

Association between Cardiopulmonary Capacity and Body Mass Composition in Children and Adolescents with High Body Weight: A Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: Excessive body weight is a global problem in the 21st century. Children and adolescents, in particular, are at risk. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the relationship between aerobic capacity and body composition. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between the individual parameters of cardiopulmonary capacity obtained in cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and selected parameters of body mass composition in high-BMI children and children over the 85th percentile according to the WHO growth reference. (2) Materials and Method: The research included 100 children of school-age (7-15 years) with an excessive BMI, i.e., over the 85th percentile as per the WHO Growth Reference (BMI percentile 95.21 ± 4.65; Z-score BMI: 2.07 ± 0.94). The study consisted of three parts: anthropometric measurements, measurement of body mass composition using a body composition analyzer (TANITA MC-780 S MA) using the bioimpedance method, and a cardiopulmonary exercise test on a pediatric cycle ergometer (Corival Pediatric, Lode BV) using the Godfrey protocol; (3) Results: The correlation between BMI and fat mass (FM) was very high (rho = 0.83; p = 0.00) with moderate body fat percentage (BF%) (rho = 0.48; p = 0.00). There was a relevant correlation between the amount of fat-free mass in total body mass and cardiopulmonary capacity expressed as the absolute aerobic capacity (VO2peak) (rho = 0.55; p = 0.00). (4) Conclusions: In the case of children and youth with higher BMI, there was a correlation between the amount of fat-free mass in total body mass and cardiopulmonary capacity in terms of absolute aerobic capacity.

Longitudinal associations between sport participation and fat mass with body posture in children: A 5-year follow-up from the Czech ELSPAC study

The main purpose of the study was to examine longitudinal associations between sport participation and fat mass with body posture in children. We used data from children recruited in the Czech European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (CELSPAC) at the ages of 11 y (n = 1065), 13 y (n = 811) and 15 y (n = 974). Information on body posture, practicing sport in a club and at a competitive level, and skinfold thicknesses (biceps, triceps, subscapula, suprailiaca and thigh) from pediatrician’s medical records were collected. Body posture was inspected by a pediatrician. The sum of 5 skinfolds was used as a proxy of fat mass. The 85th and 95th percentiles defined ‘overfat’ and ‘obese’children. Practicing sport in a club and at a competitive level were included as ‘yes/no’ answers. General linear mixed models with risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Overall, 35.6% of children and adolescents had impaired body posture; the prevalence of ’incorrect’ body posture increased by age (from 41.0% to 28.0%, p<0.001). Practicing sport in a club and at a competitive level decreased by follow-up (p<0.001), while the level of ‘overfat’ and ‘obese’ children increased (p<0.01). In separate models, ’incorrect’ body posture was associated with non-practicing sport in clubs (RR = 1.68; 95% CI 1.43–1.97, p<0.001) or at competitive level (RR = 1.61; 95% CI 1.37–1.88, p<0.001) and with being ’overfat’ (RR = 2.05; 95% CI 1.52–2.75, p<0.001) and ’obese’ (RR = 2.15; 95% CI 1.68–2.75, p<0.001). When all variables were put simultaneously into the model additionally adjusted for sex, self-rated health and baseline body posture, similar associations remained. This study shows, that not participating in sport and being overfat/obese are longitudinally associated with ‘incorrect’ body posture. Therefore, the detection of these risk factors in childhood, through the development of school- and community-based interventions, should be advocated.

Changes in Children's Body Composition and Posture during Puberty Growth

The main goal of our study was to determine how the age of children, puberty and anthropometric parameters affect the formation of body composition and faulty body posture development in children. The secondary goal was to determine in which body segments abnormalities most often occur and how gender differentiates the occurrence of adverse changes in children's body posture and body composition during puberty. The study group consisted of 464 schoolchildren aged from 6-16. Body posture was assessed with the Zebris system. The composition of the body mass was tested with Tanita MC 780 MA body mass analyzer and the body height was measured using a portable stadiometer PORTSTAND 210. The participants were further divided due to the age of puberty. Tanner division was adopted. The cut-off age for girls is ≥10 years and for boys it is ≥12 years. The analyses applied descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation, stepwise regression analysis and the t-test. The accepted level of significance was p < 0.05. The pelvic obliquity was lower in older children (beta = -0.15). We also see that age played a significant role in the difference in the height of the right pelvis (beta = -0.28), and the difference in the height of the right shoulder (beta = 0.23). Regression analysis showed that the content of adipose tissue (FAT%) increased with body mass index (BMI) and decreased with increasing weight, age, and height. Moreover, the FAT% was lower in boys than in girls (beta negative equal to -0.39). It turned out that older children (puberty), had greater asymmetry in the right shoulder blade (p < 0.001) and right shoulder (p = 0.003). On the other hand, younger children (who were still before puberty) had greater anomalies in the left trunk inclination (p = 0.048) as well as in the pelvic obliquity (p = 0.008). Girls in puberty were characterized by greater asymmetry on the right side, including the shoulders (p = 0.001), the scapula (p = 0.001) and the pelvis (p < 0.001). In boys, the problem related only to the asymmetry of the shoulder blades (p < 0.001). Girls were characterized by a greater increase in adipose tissue and boys by muscle tissue. Significant differences also appeared in the body posture of the examined children. Greater asymmetry within scapulas and shoulders were seen in children during puberty. Therefore, a growing child should be closely monitored to protect them from the adverse consequences of poor posture or excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in the body.

Effect of Dog-Assisted Therapy on Psychomotor Development of Children with Intellectual Disability

BACKGROUND

Although dog-assisted therapy (DAT) has been used for years, there is still a scarcity of research findings confirming efficacy of the method. The current study was designed to assess effects of DAT on psychomotor development of children with mild intellectual disabilities.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The study involved 60 children with mild intellectual disabilities, aged 10-13 years, divided into a group participating in a 10-month DAT program, and the control group. Four tests were applied, i.e., finger identification, postural imitation, kinaesthesia, and Bourdon-Wiersma Dot Cancellation Test. The examinations were carried out before the start and at the end of the DAT, and at a two-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The results obtained by the DAT group in all the four tests, at all the three timepoints, were not the same (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in the measurement at the end of the therapy between the DAT group and the controls. On the other hand, the DAT group achieved significantly better scores (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001), compared to the control, in the follow-up measurements two months after the end of the therapy in postural imitation and finger identification tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Some of the scores achieved by the children in the DAT group improved in the measurements performed over time. Two months after the therapy ended, the children in the DAT group presented greater gains in motor planning (postural imitation test) and in the sense of touch, attention, and concentration (finger identification test), compared to the control group. Although the measurement performed immediately after the therapy did not show significant differences between the DAT group and the controls, the examination carried out at the two-month follow-up identified long-term gains in the treatment group in the domain of motor planning (postural imitation test).