The aim of this study was to evaluate the behaviour of postural variables and the associated factors, like back pain and life habits, in schoolchildren during a period of four years. Forty-two school children underwent a postural assessment using Digital Image-Based Postural Assessment software. They also answered the self-administered questionnaire titled, “Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument” to evaluate their back pain and life habits. We observed a significant trend of forward head, thoracic hyper kyphosis, and lumbar hyper lordosis in the entire group, as well as a trend of cervical rectification in girls. Both boys and girls presented a constant frequency in back pain, but girls presented higher prevalence along the years. We found a high prevalence of poor sitting posture in male (between 72.2-89.5%) and female (between 73.3-100%). We also found that girls had poor posture due to the way they carried their school supplies. However, occurred a decrease of time spent in front of television for male (from 87% to 10.5%) and female (from 93.3% to 0%). Significant changes occurred in analysed variables over evaluation period.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a prevalência e intensidade de dor nas costas (DC) e os fatores de risco associados a um nível de elevada intensidade de dor em escolares do Ensino Fundamental de Teutônia, RS. Participaram deste estudo epidemiológico 1.597 escolares de 5ª a 8ª séries. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário autoaplicável e analisados a partir de uma análise multivariável e do cálculo das razões de prevalência (RP) (α=0,05). Verificou-se que a prevalência de DC nos últimos três meses foi de 55,7% (n = 802) e que a elevada intensidade de DC está associada com as variáveis: frequência de dor (RP = 1,37; p = 0,001), impedimento ao fazer atividades do dia a dia (RP = 1,25; p = 0,001) e meio de transporte do material escolar (RP = 1,10; p = 0,026). Estes resultados podem auxiliar os professores de educação física a planejar suas atividades curriculares.

Abstract The aim of this study was verify the prevalence and back pain (BP) intensity, and risk factors associated with an elevated level of pain intensity in schoolchildren of basic education from Teutônia, RS. 1597 students from 5th to 8th grade participated in this epidemiological study. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed from a multivariable analysis and from the calculation of prevalence ratios (PR) (α=0.05). Were verified that the prevalence of BP in last three months was 55.7% (n = 802) and the elevated level of BP is associated with variables: pain frequency (PR = 1.37; p = 0.001), impediment to perform activities of daily life (PR = 1.25; p = 0.001) and transportation of school supplies (PR = 1,10; p = 0,026). These results may assist physical education teachers to plan their teaching activities.

Resumen El estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia y la intensidad del dolor de espalda (DE), y los factores de riesgo asociados con un alto nivel de intensidad del dolor en los estudiantes de la escuela primaria de Teutônia, RS. El estudio epidemiológico incluyó a 1.597 estudiantes de los grados quinto a octavo. Los datos se recopilaron con un cuestionario autoadministrado y se analizaron mediante un análisis multivariable y el cálculo de las tasas de prevalencia (TP; α = 0,05). Se encontró que la prevalencia de la DE en los últimos 3 meses fue el 55,7% y una DE de alta intensidad está asociada con variables: frecuencia del dolor (TP = 1,37; p = 0,001), impedimento para realizar las actividades de la vida diaria (TP = 1,25; p = 0,001) y el transporte de material escolar (TP = 1,10; p = 0,026). Estos resultados pueden ayudar a los profesores de educación física a planificar sus actividades de enseñanza.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Identificar a prevalência de dor nas costas de escolares brasileiros e os fatores associados a essa dor. MÉTODOS Todas os 1.720 estudantes das escolas do quinto ao oitavo ano de todas as escolas de Teutônia, RS, foram convidados a participar do estudo. Desse total, 1.597 crianças participaram. Foi utilizado o questionário Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument. A variável dependente foi a dor nas costas e as variáveis independentes foram os dados demográficos, socioeconômicos, comportamentais e hereditários. A razão de prevalência foi calculada pela análise multivariada feita pelo modelo de regressão de Poisson (a = 0,05). RESULTADOS A prevalência de dor nas costas nos três últimos meses foi de 55,7% (n = 802). A análise multivariada demonstrou que a dor nas costas está associada com as variáveis de sexo, pais com dor nas costas, frequência semanal de exercício físico, tempo gasto por dia assistindo à televisão, estudar na cama, postura ao dormir, postura sentada para escrever e usar o computador, e o modo de carregar mochila. CONCLUSÕES A prevalência de dor nas costas em escolares é alta e está associada com aspectos demográficos, comportamentais e hereditários.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence of back pain among Brazilian school children and the factors associated with this pain. METHODS All 1,720 schoolchildren from the fifth to the eight grade attending schools from the city of Teutonia, RS, Southern Brazil, were invited to participate in the study. From these, 1,597 children participated. We applied the Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument. The dependent variable was back pain, while the independent one were demographic, socioeconomic, behavior and heredity data. The prevalence ratio was estimated by multivariate analysis using the Poisson regression model (α = 0.05). RESULTS The prevalence of back pain in the last three months was 55.7% (n = 802). The multivariate analysis showed that back pain is associated with the variables: sex, parents with back pain, weekly frequency of physical activity, daily time spent watching television, studying in bed, sitting posture to write and use the computer, and way of carrying the backpack. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of back pain in schoolchildren is high and it is associated with demographic, behavior and heredity aspects.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Identificar a prevalência de dor nas costas de escolares brasileiros e os fatores associados a essa dor. MÉTODOS Todas os 1.720 estudantes das escolas do quinto ao oitavo ano de todas as escolas de Teutônia, RS, foram convidados a participar do estudo. Desse total, 1.597 crianças participaram. Foi utilizado o questionário Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument. A variável dependente foi a dor nas costas e as variáveis independentes foram os dados demográficos, socioeconômicos, comportamentais e hereditários. A razão de prevalência foi calculada pela análise multivariada feita pelo modelo de regressão de Poisson (a = 0,05). RESULTADOS A prevalência de dor nas costas nos três últimos meses foi de 55,7% (n = 802). A análise multivariada demonstrou que a dor nas costas está associada com as variáveis de sexo, pais com dor nas costas, frequência semanal de exercício físico, tempo gasto por dia assistindo à televisão, estudar na cama, postura ao dormir, postura sentada para escrever e usar o computador, e o modo de carregar mochila. CONCLUSÕES A prevalência de dor nas costas em escolares é alta e está associada com aspectos demográficos, comportamentais e hereditários.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence of back pain among Brazilian school children and the factors associated with this pain. METHODS All 1,720 schoolchildren from the fifth to the eight grade attending schools from the city of Teutonia, RS, Southern Brazil, were invited to participate in the study. From these, 1,597 children participated. We applied the Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument. The dependent variable was back pain, while the independent one were demographic, socioeconomic, behavior and heredity data. The prevalence ratio was estimated by multivariate analysis using the Poisson regression model (α = 0.05). RESULTS The prevalence of back pain in the last three months was 55.7% (n = 802). The multivariate analysis showed that back pain is associated with the variables: sex, parents with back pain, weekly frequency of physical activity, daily time spent watching television, studying in bed, sitting posture to write and use the computer, and way of carrying the backpack. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of back pain in schoolchildren is high and it is associated with demographic, behavior and heredity aspects.