Postural disorders have an increasing incidence among children, and the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of postural defects, as well as the identification of the modifiable risk factors that may influence the disease and the establishment of appropriate strategies aimed at preventing them, are of great importance.
There are certain periods of accelerated growth in a child’s life which are accompanied by postural changes, and which require close parental supervision: early childhood and adolescence. It is documented that only 18–50% of children and adolescents have a correct body posture, with the majority of school-age children, especially primary and secondary school children, presenting posture disorders.
The list of risk factors associated with posture disorders that were assessed also included habits related to the use of mobile devices (watching TV, using computers, smartphones, and tablets), a common practice, especially among adolescents, the posture adopted for the use of a smartphone or a computer could cause defects related to the positioning of the shoulder blades in relation to each other and neck and shoulder discomfort.
Postural abnormalities in children have an increased incidence from an early age and are a result of negative lifestyle changes in recent years, both in children and their parents, represented by a sedentary lifestyle, a lack of physical activity, the excessive use of electronic devices, stress, and an inadequate diet.
Education, awareness, the early identification of risk factors, and their removal, together with early diagnoses, are effective and imperative.