Association of Upper Quarter Posture with Depression, Anxiety, and Level of Physical Activity in Sixth Grade Elementary School Students of Karaj City, Iran

Postural abnormalities are prevalent among elementary school students. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the upper quarter posture with depression, anxiety and level of physical activity in elementary school students of Karaj.

In this cross-sectional study, 346 sixth grade students were randomly selected from 10 elementary schools. Levels of physical activity, anxiety, and depression were measured and the data were collected employing International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short form (IPAQ-SF), Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), respectively. Photogrammetric method and a flexible ruler were used to assess the students’ posture. Pearson correlation test and linear regression model at the confidence level of 95% (P<0.05) was utilized to analyze the data.

There was a significant relation between depression and the craniovertebral angle (P=0.003); physical activity levels were also correlated with the sagittal head angle (P=0.012), and kyphosis (P=0.012).

Certain postural abnormalities were associated with physical activity and psychological problems. Therefore, preventive actions are of great necessity to decrease postural and psychological problems.