Sit up straight... posture lessons start in schools

TEENAGERS are being given ‘posture’ lessons amid rising rates of back pain caused by excess weight and screen time.

Health experts have given secondary school pupils sessions on their ‘posture habits’ while using computers and mobile phones after a 50 per cent rise in back pain referrals to children’s hospital physiotherapy departments.

The scheme has been launched in NHS Fife, where high school pupils have received ten 45-minute sessions from NHS workers. They now plan to teach posture as part of the curriculum to all schools in the area.

Poor posture when using screens can put pressure on the body and lead to back and neck pain. Hunching over devices, looking forward and downward, can even lead to developing a rounded upper back or ‘text neck’ – pain across the neck and shoulders.

A report on the scheme was presented to the NHS Scotland annual conference last week in Glasgow by staff from the NHS Fife Children and Young People’s Physiotherapy Service.

It states: ‘Research has shown low-back pain in adolescents increases markedly during their growth spurt and considers the influence of lifestyle factors, including being overweight, smoking, lack of activity and screen time.

‘An increase in the referral rate for back pain had been noted in the Children and Young People’s Physiotherapy departmental stats.

‘We recognised that a preventative approach is an essential role for us.’

Julie Paterson, Fife Health and Social Care Partnership divisional general manager, said: ‘A pilot health and wellbeing project was undertaken in two Fife secondary schools aimed at raising awareness of the risks of poor posture.

‘Pupils were educated on the harm that can be caused by prolonged periods sitting at a computer, using mobile phones for extended periods or through car- rying overly heavy school bags. The project was positively received by pupils and we are working with education colleagues to explore the potential for rolling this out to other schools.’

Tips include sitting correctly in a chair while at a computer, with a straight head and body, and changing position every 30 minutes.

Pupils were also taught about core strength, which includes the muscles in the abdomen, back and pelvis and encouraged to meet the recommended daily physical activity levels for children, of at least an hour a day.

Three months after the sessions, 52 per cent of the children said they had changed their posture.

A total of 29 per cent of Scots children are overweight or obese and only 61 per cent of 13-15 yearolds meet the recommended physical activity targets. Around 80 per cent of Scottish children aged 11-15 use a computer, tablet or phone for two or more hours a day.

Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: ‘Children should be encouraged to get out more instead of spending time indoors on screens.

‘Hunched up children who are not exercising, bent double over their screens are a problem.

‘There is also a strain on growing backs occasioned by kids having heavy satchels to lug around. Regular exercise rather than posture lessons would sort that out.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Physical education can have a positive impact on pupils’ health, educational attainment and life chances, which is why we put it at the centre of the curriculum.’

‘Rise in referral rate for back pain’