Analysis of the prevalence and influencing factors of the comorbidity of wasting and spinal curvature abnormalities among primary and middle school students

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and their comorbidity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia, and investigate the lifestyle and school environmental factors affecting these health issues to provide a scientific basis for effective regional prevention and control measures.Methods A stratified random cluster sampling method was employed to select children and adolescents aged 6-18 in Inner Mongolia for physical examinations and questionnaire surveys. A total of 188,635 participants were included for the epidemiological analysis of wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and their comorbidity, while 134,597 participants were used for analyzing the factors influencing wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities, and their comorbidity. Chi-square tests were used for univariate analysis, and binary multivariate logistic regression was conducted to explore the factors influencing wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities, and their comorbidity.Results In 2022, the detection rates of wasting and spinal curvature abnormalities among students in Inner Mongolia were 3.79% and 3.64%, respectively, with a comorbidity detection rate of 0.17%. The detection rate of wasting was higher in boys (4.18%) than in girls (3.38%), while the detection rate of spinal curvature abnormalities was higher in girls (4.04%) than in boys (3.25%), with significant statistical differences (P<0.001 for both). The detection rates of wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities, and comorbidity increased with age (Pt<0.001). Insufficient high-intensity exercise (<5 days per week of ≥1 hour) (OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.19-1.37), and daily screen time ≥2 hours (OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.03-1.19) were positively associated with wasting; fewer than 5 physical education classes per week (OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.21), non-adjusted desk and chair height (OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15), daily after-school study/writing time ≥1 hour (OR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.07-1.24), frequent parental reminders about proper reading and writing posture (OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.09-1.23), and frequent teacher reminders about proper reading and writing posture (OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.04-1.16) were positively associated with spinal curvature abnormalities; daily consumption of sugary beverages (OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.00-2.46), insufficient high-intensity exercise (<5 days per week of ≥1 hour) (OR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.01-1.79), and frequent teacher reminders about proper reading and writing posture (OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.05-1.75) were positively associated with the comorbidity of wasting and spinal curvature abnormalities.Conclusion Lifestyle and school environmental factors significantly impact wasting, spinal curvature abnormalities and their comorbidity. Comprehensive interventions and multi-disease prevention strategies are needed.