Selected components of the lifestyle of adolescent girls with idiopathic scoliosis – an observational study

Abstract Background: This research study is focused on factors affecting the level of physical activity in girls with scoliosis, looking for answers as to whether scoliosis itself is a predictive factor of motor passivity, which, as WHO indicates, is dangerous to health. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine selected components of the lifestyle of young women with diagnosed scoliosis in confrontation with a group of women who were not diagnosed with spinal deformities. Methods: The study consisted of a group of 82 young girls aged 16 – 18 years (x=16.9±0.81) with AIS (mean Cobb angle=17.37±4.05) who were who were the main group. The control group included 138 young health girls with the same ages. The girls were not diagnosed with idiopathic adolescent scoliosis and their body posture were not deviate from the norm in the sagittal, frontal and transverse planes. BMI was calculated in percentiles, and the physical activity level by IPAQ have been investigated. Results In the studied groups of girls the level of physical activity at the moderate level dominates (p>0.05). There are no differences between each IPAQ domain except for the domains “Leisure/Free time” (t=2.23; P=.02). Among the assessed factors, only BMI (A; p<0.003 and B; 0.0001), diet (A; 0.0006 and B; 0.0002) and the use of electronic devices (A; 0.00004 and B; 0.03) influence the physical activity in both groups. Place of residence, age, self acceptance, physical activity of parents and sedentary positions are not important (all p values in the range 0.17 – 0.94). Conclusion. The most important aspect of teenage girls' lifestyles is physical activity and the leisure and diet, as well as body weight. Scoliosis is not a determinant of physical activity and its level does not significantly differ between girls who are diagnosed with scoliosis and those with normal body posture, except for leisure time, which is more passive in girls with scoliosis. Overweight and abnormal eating habits affect physical activity regardless of the quality of posture. A reduction in physical activity predisposes to more frequent and increased use of electronic devices during the week.