Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of back pain in children and adolescents has been reason for school health concern. Among different causes, school material weight is highlighted since studies have shown that it exceeds recommended values. So, strategies to decrease material weight have been adopted, such as the availability of cabinets or shelves to leave the books at school. However, it is not well explained whether such strategies would solve the problem. This study aimed at observing the association between school material weight and back pain in students who leave their material at school. METHODS: Sample was made up of 48 students of the 5th year of Basic Education of a municipal school of Petrolina-PE. Students and their materials were weighed. The back pain and body posture evaluation instrument was used to evaluate back pain. RESULTS: Mean school material weight was 10.8±3.9% of body weight, without difference between genders. From 48 students, 20 have reported back pain and there has been no association between back pain and gender or school material weight. CONCLUSION: Among students, 41.67% have reported back pain, while 52.09% carried weight above 10% of body weight, but there has been no association between school material weight and back pain.
Highlights
The prevalence of back pain in children and adolescents has been reason for school health concern
Material weight mean and standard deviation were estimated and frequencies were established for the variable back pain, as well as frequencies were defined according to school material weight percentage
Mean school material weight was 10.8±3.9% of body weight and there has been no difference between genders for this variable, t(46)=-1.335, p=0.188
Summary
The prevalence of back pain in children and adolescents has been reason for school health concern. Remaining for long periods in the sitting position, inadequate furniture, school material weight, as well as the way in which such material is carried and the model of backpacks, are associated to postural problems risks and to back pain among children and adolescents[1,6,7,8]. For being the most practical and widely used way to carry school material[6,11,12], have generated some concerns, since their weight and transportation are not always adequate, imposing disproportional overloads to such structures[13]. From 48 students, 20 have reported back pain and there has been no association between back pain and gender or school material weight. CONCLUSION: Among students, 41.67% have reported back pain, while 52.09% carried weight above 10% of body weight, but there has been no association between school material weight and back pain.
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