Childhood Obesity and Incorrect Body Posture: Impact on Physical Activity and the Therapeutic Role of Exercise

Valeria Calcaterra, Luca Marin, Matteo Vandoni (), Virginia Rossi, Agnese Pirazzi, Roberta Grazi, Pamela Patané, Giustino Simone Silvestro, Vittoria Carnevale Pellino, Ilaria Albanese, Valentina Fabiano, Massimiliano Febbi, Dario Silvestri and Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
Additional contact information
Valeria Calcaterra: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Luca Marin: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Matteo Vandoni: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Virginia Rossi: Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
Agnese Pirazzi: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Roberta Grazi: Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
Pamela Patané: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Giustino Simone Silvestro: Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
Vittoria Carnevale Pellino: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Ilaria Albanese: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Valentina Fabiano: Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
Massimiliano Febbi: Laboratory for Rehabilitation, Medicine and Sport (LARM), 00133 Rome, Italy
Dario Silvestri: Research Department-LJA-2021, Asomi College of Sciences, 2080 Marsa, Malta
Gianvincenzo Zuccotti: Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-16

Abstract: Obesity is associated with various dysfunctions of the organism, including musculoskeletal problems. In this narrative review, we aim to consider postural problems in children and adolescents with obesity, focusing on the relationship with its negative impact on physical activity, and to discuss the role of exercise as a therapeutic approach. The body reacts to excess weight by changing its normal balance, and the somatosensory system of children with obesity is forced to make major adjustments to compensate for postural problems. These adaptations become more difficult and tiring if activities that require continuous postural changes and multi-tasking are engaged in. Children with obesity have less body control and functional ability due to the excess fat mass, which reduces their ability to perform motor skills and take part in physical activity. Appropriate early interventions for the management of musculoskeletal problems are needed to ensure healthy growth and to prevent comorbidities in childhood and adulthood. Prevention programs must be based not only on the reduction of body weight but also on the definition of correct postural habits from an early age. It is equally important to provide correct information on the types and doses of physical activity that can help prevent these problems.

Keywords: obesity; body posture; children; adolescents; physical activity; exercise; musculoskeletal complication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/24/16728/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/24/16728/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16728-:d:1001928

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().