Statistical investigation about spinal clinical asymmetry in a school population

Background: Spinal disorders and obesity are increasing and are an important cause for concern among healthcare and educational bodies. There is a wide variability in the literature of clinical positivity for scoliosis in the examination of the spine.Aim: Our study aims to investigate a relationship between scoliosis hump in schoolchildren and obesity, evaluating different kind of variables.Methods: The sample was comprised by 478 schoolchildren from Italy, with a mean age of 12.6 years (SD: 1.861). They were classified by using ATR test, body mass index (BMI), the Edinburgh Inventory, the deep flexion test.Results: Results of ATR test evidence 26 subjects (5,4%) positive for ATR >= 7; 102 subjects (21,3%) positive for ATR >= 6; and finally 191 subjects (40,0%) positive for ATR >= 5. There were 191 (40%) subjects with scoliosis; obesity was present in 62 (13%) cases and, after the regression, associations were found between scoliotic posture and gender, presence of obesity, and flexibility.Conclusions: Our study confirms a relationship between obesity and scoliosis, which increases with the age. Female subjects have higher risks to develop humps and spinal disorders. It is advisable to use a combination of several parameters to achieve a more sensitive evaluation.