Educational Intervention in the Postural Hygiene of School-Age Children

Abstract

Introduction: Healthy lifestyle habits formed in childhood provide the foundation for a healthy adult life; therefore, it is important to encourage healthy habits and to correct poor habits from an early age. Aim: In this study, we aim to evaluate the influence of educational intervention in order to modify postural hygiene habits in school-age children. Materials and methods: We randomly selected three public primary education schools in the Galician provinces of Orense and Pontevedra based on stratified multistage sampling. A sample of 479 students was obtained, representing 2% of all 6- to 12-year-old children registered during the 2015/2016 academic year in those provinces. Results: Following the intervention, the students’ postural hygiene improved. We found statistically significant differences regarding a reduction in the number of hours spent watching television (0.531 h/day); the way school books and supplies were carried, with an increase in the use of backpacks with wheels (from 58.5% to 64.1%); and an improvement in postural hygiene when watching television, with an increase from 63.7% to 80.8% of those surveyed opting to watch television whilst seated on a chair instead of lying down. Conclusions: Educational intervention by inculcating healthy postural hygiene habits in children at an early age can improve and correct unhealthy behaviours.