Trunk asymmetry at children aged 10-15 years: relation between amount of asymmetry and risk factors.

Objective: This study focuses on the possible associations between the trunk asymmetry (TA) and different risk factors, such as: Body Mass Index (BMI), place of residence (rural/urban area), the gender of the subjects and the level of the physical activity.

Methods: The data for this study was obtained from a cross-sectional survey of school children carried out in 2015 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. In this study 487 pupils (260 boys and 227 girls) aged 10-15 years were included. The angle of trunk rotation (ATR) was obtained from scoliometer readings. The level of the physical activity was calculated from the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. The statistical analysis was carried out on the obtained mean values (independent sample t-test, paired-sample t-test, ANOVA), and the relation between variables was analyzed by the Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results: In case of subjects from urban area the degree of TA was 2.75º(±2.85º), and in case of those from rural area 2.09º(±2.23º), t= 2.813, p = 0.005. The TA was lower in subjects who live in rural area, in houses: 2.07º(±2.21), than in case of those who live in flats in urban area: 2.86º(±2.94), (p = 0.032 ). The level of physical activity in case of boys is higher than in case of girls (boys 2.82±(0.68), girls 2.62(±0.67)). The Pearson correlation test did not find any correlation between the angle of trunk rotation and the level of physical activity: r= 0.000, p = 0.998. The degree of TA is higher in case of girls, than in case of boys (girls 2.88º(±2.91º), boys 2.19º(±2.38º)), t = - 2.601, p = 0.010. However, we found small correlation between the BMI and the TA in case of boys who have a degree of trunk asymmetry ≥5º: r = - 0.289, p = 0.044.

Conclusions: The study revealed the lack of correlation between the TA and BMI, place of residence and the level of physical activity practiced. However, in case of boys we found a small correlation between the BMI and sever asymmetry.