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Skeletal changes of the axial axis and lower limbs in overweight children and adolescents

Alterações esqueléticas do eixo axial e de membros inferiores em crianças e adolescentes com excesso de peso

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the presence of axial skeletal deviations in children and adolescents and to relate them to body mass index (BMI), age and sex.

Methods:

101 patients aged 7 to 17 years old were included in this study; exclusion criteria were primary orthopedic diseases and syndromes or treatments that affect growth. Patients were grouped according to their BMI Z-score: eutrophic (n=29), overweight (n=18) and obese (n=54). They underwent static clinical inspection was made by simetrographic technique. Intermaleolar distance was obtained, Adam’s forward bend and tiptoe tests were performed.

Results:

When comparing obese and eutrophic patients, changes in the cervical spine (p<0.01), spine (p<0.001), hip (p<0.01) and shoulders (p<0.001) were present in more than half of the obese patients (62.5%, 62.2%, 79.9% and 55.4%, respectively). Changes in the knees were more frequent among obese (p<0.001) when compared to eutrophic patients. There was no variation regarding age or sex (p>0.05).

Conclusions:

being overweight influences skeletal deviations in children and adolescents.

Keywords:
Childhood obesity; Postural evaluation; Skeletal changes; Overweight

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