Kyphosis in apple-shaped and pear-shaped obesity

Obesity is an important factor leading to spine abnormalities. Body fat distribution (type of obesity) is important in relation to its effect on the health of people. The purpose of the present study was to compare thoracic curvature and its abnormality (kyphosis) in apple-shaped and pear-shaped obesity. This was a case-control study. The subjects in this study consisted of the 6th grade, primary school girls in Arak City, in Iran. 122 obese students were screened using non-randomized and purposeful sampling method based on their body mass index. Finally, 61 students participated in this study. Then, based on waist-to-hip ratio, the students were divided into apple-shaped and pear-shaped obesity groups. We found significant differences between the two groups in relation to the degree of thoracic curvature and the incidence of kyphosis which were more pronounced and more prevalent in the subjects with apple-shaped obesity. The difference in the degree of thoracic curvature and the incidence of kyphosis in the two obesity groups were possibly related to the type of obesity, namely, body fat distribution. It seems that the type of obesity affects the thoracic curvature and can lead to kyphosis.