Investigation of the Relationships between Structure and Mobility of the Spine and Balance in Obese Children: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Objective: Increased body mass and changes in the center of gravity due to obesity may affect the structure and mobility of the spine along with balance. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between structure and mobility of the spine and balance in obese children. Material and Method: Fourteen children who were diagnosed with obesity, with a median age of 14 years (IQR 25/75: 12/16 years), and with a median body mass index of 34.9 kg/m² (IQR 25/75: 31.9/37.8 kg/m²) were included. Balance was assessed by using a computer assisted device, while structure and mobility of the spine was evaluated with the Hocoma Valedo-Shape® device. Results: A moderate statistically significant relationship was found between the structure of the thoracic region and the balance scores of double leg standing with eyes open (r=0.537, p=0.048), and eyes closed (r=0.562, p=0.037). No significant correlations were detected between balance parameters and mobility of thoracic and lumbar regions, structure of lumbar region, and sacral/spinal inclination values (p>0.05). Conclusion: According to our results, there is a positive relationship between the structure of the spine and balance. The increase in the kyphotic angle of the spine, especially in the thoracic region, may negatively affect the balance by increasing the oscillations in the anterior-posterior direction. We think that monitoring the structure and mobility of the spine of obese children throughout their developments is important for preventing further problems.

Keywords

• Obesity
• child
• spine angle
• spine mobility
• balance

Obez Çocuklarda Omurganın Yapısı ve Mobilitesi ile Denge Arasındaki İlişkilerin İncelenmesi: Ön Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Obeziteye bağlı artmış vücut kütlesi ve ağırlık merkezinin değişmesi omurganın yapısı ve mobilitesiyle birlikte dengeyi de etkileyebilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı obez çocuklarda omurga yapı ve mobilitesi ile denge arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesiydi. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya obezite tanısı almış, ortanca yaşları 14 yıl (IQR 25/75: 12/16 yıl) ve ortanca vücut kütle indeksleri 34,9 kg/m² (IQR 25/75: 31,9/37,8 kg/m²) olan 14 çocuk dahil edildi. Denge, bilgisayar destekli bir cihaz kullanılarak, omurga yapı ve mobilitesi ise Hocoma Valedo-Shape® cihazı ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Torakal bölge yapısı ile çift ayak gözler açık (r=0,537, p=0,048) ve gözler kapalı denge skorları (r=0,562, p=0,037) arasında orta düzeyde istatiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki tespit edildi. Torakal ve lumbal bölge mobilitesi, lumbal bölge yapısı, sakral/spinal inklinasyon değerleri ile denge parametreleri arasında anlamlı ilişkiler saptanamadı (p>0,05). Sonuç: Sonuçlarımıza göre, omurganın yapısı ile denge arasında pozitif yönde bir ilişki bulunmaktadır. Özellikle torakal bölgedeki omurga kifotik açı değerinin artması önarka yöndeki salınımları arttırarak dengeyi olumsuz yönde etkileyebilmektedir. Obez çocukların gelişimleri boyunca omurga yapı ve mobilitelerinin takibinin yapılmasının ileriki problemlerin önlenmesinde önemli olduğunu düşünmekteyiz.

Keywords

• Obezite
• çocuk
• omurga açısı
• omurga hareketliliği
• denge

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