PREVALENCE OF INADEQUATE HABITS OF STUDENTS FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF TEUTÔNIA CITY: A POPULATION STUDY

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of inadequate habits of Elementary students of the city of Teutônia, state of Rio Grande do Sul from a population study. The 1597 school participants completed the Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument (BackPEI) self-administered questionnaire. The results showed a high prevalence of inappropriate postural habits in the following positions: sitting to write and to use the computer, sitting on a bench, and picking up objects from the ground. It was also found that students remain long time sitting in front of the computer and television, and that they do not sleep the required hours per day. Studies like this are important because their results provide direct educational work.