Prevalence of Scoliosis in Adolescents Aged 12 to 16: Influence of Physical Activity Level and Type of Educational Institution

Abstract

Introduction: Scoliosis is a structural deformity of the spine whose prevalence may be influenced by socioeconomic factors and physical activity levels. Previous evidence suggests that physical inactivity could be a risk factor in adolescents.Objective: To analyze and quantify the prevalence of scoliosis in students aged 12–16 years from public and private schools in Santiago, Chile, and to explore its association with physical activity levels. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 81 adolescents (48.1% male; 51.9% female). The mean age was 15.28 ± 0.85 years, with an average height of 163.8 ± 6.9 cm and mean weight of 66.0 ± 12.2 kg. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and four evaluation tools were used: Adams Forward Bend Test, scoliometer, Spine Screen mobile application, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).Results: A positive Adams Test was found in 43.2% of participants, while 14.8% showed out-of-range alterations in Spine Screen. According to IPAQ, 25.9% reported low physical activity, 51.9% moderate, and 22.2% high. A significant association was found between lower physical activity and scoliosis presence (p = 0.025 in Adams Test; p = 0.020 in Spine Screen). Furthermore, scoliosis prevalence was higher in public school students (54.3%) compared to private school students (34.8%) (p = 0.043). Conclusions: These findings suggest that lower levels of physical activity are associated with a higher prevalence of scoliosis in adolescents, particularly in public school settings. The results highlight the need for preventive strategies to promote structured physical activity in school environments with limited access.