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01-12-2021 | Back Pain | Research

Spinal pain in pre-adolescence and the relation with screen time and physical activity behavior

Authors: Anne Cathrine Joergensen, Katrine Strandberg-Larsen, Per Kragh Andersen, Lise Hestbaek, Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

To investigate how screen time and physical activity behavior were associated with spinal pain in pre-adolescence.

Methods

This study included 45,555 pre-adolescents who participated in the 11-year follow-up of the Danish National Birth Cohort. The 11-year follow-up included self-reported information on computer and TV behavior, aspects of physical activity, as well as frequency and intensity of spinal pain (neck-, mid back- and low back pain). Data were linked with parental socioeconomic data from Statistics Denmark registers. Associations were estimated using multinomial logistic regression models. To account for sample selection, we applied inverse probability weighting.

Results

Duration of screen time was stepwise associated with the degree of spinal pain. Compared with those spending < 2 h/day in front of a screen, screen time of ≥6 h/day was associated with a substantially increased relative risk ratio (RRR) of severe pain for both girls (RRR: 2.49, 95% CI: 2.13–2.92) and boys (RRR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.65–2.32). Being physical inactive was likewise associated with higher likelihood of severe spinal pain (RRR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.10–1.34) relative to those being moderately active. We observed that being physically active was seemingly associated with lower risk of spinal pain among boys with high frequency of screen time.

Conclusion

Findings indicate that both duration of screen time and physical inactivity are correlated with spinal pain in pre-adolescents with the strongest associations for screen time. Reducing screen time or increasing physical activity might help preventing spinal pain in pre-adolescents, particularly among high frequent screen users. Future prospective studies investigating the causal relationship are necessary.

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Title: Spinal pain in pre-adolescence and the relation with screen time and physical activity behavior
Authors: Anne Cathrine Joergensen
Katrine Strandberg-Larsen
Per Kragh Andersen
Lise Hestbaek
Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Back Pain
Back Pain
Back Pain
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04263-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Spinal pain in pre-adolescence and the relation with screen time and physical activity behavior

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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