More than three hours a day spent on their smartphone, adolescents are more likely to suffer from back pain, according to a study.
- Bad postures and a duration of use of more than 3 hours per day increase the risks that teenagers suffer from back problems.
- Girls are more affected than boys by back pain.
- The authors of the study plead for adolescents, their parents and their teachers to be more aware of these risks.
94% of 15-29 year olds have a smartphone, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). On average, 15-24 year olds spend 3h41 a day surfing on their smartphones, according to Mediametry. This is 2.3 times more than for the population as a whole, the duration of which is 1h37.
However, this habit could be harmful for the spine of adolescents and cause them back problems.
Back pain: the smartphone puts the column in difficulty
In a study published in the journal Healthcare, the authors believe that the time spent in front of this small screen and the bad postures – sitting or lying down – which generally go with it, could lead, even in the youngest, to back pain in the thoracic spine, an area located between neck and lower back. We also talk about back or low back pain.
To arrive at their results, the scientists studied the data of young people between the ages of 14 and 18. 1,628 participants answered a questionnaire between March and June 2017 and 1,393 filled out another, called follow-up, in 2018.
Thus, the researchers observed a prevalence of 38.4% over one year of young people who suffered from back pain on the first questionnaire. The second, for its part, showed a 10.1% increase in new cases of the same pain the following year.
More than 3 hours of smartphone per day, it’s dangerous for the back of teenagers
Among participants who suffered from back pain, certain characteristics increased the risk. First of all, sex, because girls were generally more concerned than boys.
Mental health problems, poor posture when using screens and duration – more than 3 hours of use – were also risk factors. The authors point out that these latter elements are modifiable and can be the subject of preventive measures.
Indeed, when a young person suffers from back pain, the first instinct is not always to analyze his relationship with the smartphone. The scientists therefore hope that their results may change the approach of those who care for adolescents.
“Study can be used to improve health education programs for students, teachers, staff and parents“, explains Dr. Alberto de Vitta, one of the authors of the study.
Back problems are a health issue. When present in adolescence, they generally continue into adulthood and can diminish the personal and professional quality of adult life. In France, more than four out of five working people say they have had back problems during or after work, according to health insurance.