Influence of body composition on the prevalence of postural deformities in 11 to 13 Year Old black South African children in the North West Province

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of body composition on the prevalence of postural deformities among Black South African children aged 11 to 13 years in selected schools in the Potchefstroom area in the North West Province. The sample (n = 168) consisted of 47 eleven year olds, 58 twelve year olds and 63 thirteen year old school children. Of the total number of students examined (168), 79 were boys, and 89 were girls. Anthropometric (BMI and percentage body fat) and body posture measurements were performed. A posture grid and the New York Posture test were used for all postural assessments. In boys, Spearman Rank Order Correlations demonstrated a statistical significant