# Body balance on Horus® computerized posturography and body measurements in healthy children

## TL;DR

This study explores how body balance in children aged 4-6 relates to their weight, height, and BMI using computerized posturography.

## Contribution

The study identifies associations between body balance and anthropometric measurements in healthy children.

## Key findings

- Underweight children showed greater instability in body balance.
- Weight and BMI correlated with balance metrics in 4- and 5-year-olds.
- Height and weight were linked across different examination conditions in all three age groups.

## Abstract

To verify possible associations between body balance and growth curves, weight, height and body mass index in healthy children.

Quantitative cross-sectional study. Two hundred and sixteen children aged between 4 and 6 years and 11 months participated. An interview was carried out with the parents/guardians and the children underwent visual screening, auditory assessment (pure tone audiometry screening method, otoacoustic emissions and immittance testing), verification of weight and height measurements and Horus® computerized posturography. Anthro and AnthroPlus software were used to classify the growth curves by age, sex, height, weight and body mass index. Responses were analyzed using the non-parametric Kruskal-Walli and post hoc Dunn-Bonferroni statistical tests for pairwise comparisons between ages, with p<0.05.

The measurement of weight by length showed a correlation with different examination conditions at 4 years-old, mainly for the average speed data. The same data, under different examination conditions, showed a correlation with the body mass index at 4 and 5 years of age, between children classified with weight outside the expected standard and those underweight. Children considered underweight had greater instability in body balance. Height and weight showed correlation for different examination conditions in the three age groups.

There was an association between responses in posturography and individual body measurements (weight, height and body mass index. Therefore, it is suggested that these measurements be analyzed and considered in the evaluation with computerized posturography in children aged 4 to 6 years.

Verificar possíveis associações entre o equilíbrio corporal e curvas de crescimento, peso, altura e índice de massa corporal em crianças hígidas.

Estudo transversal quantitativo. Participaram 216 crianças, entre 4 a 6 anos e 11 meses. Realizou-se entrevista com os pais/responsáveis e as crianças passaram por triagem visual, avaliação auditiva (audiometria tonal método triagem, emissões otoacústicas e imitanciometria), aferição de peso e altura, e posturografia computadorizada Horus®. Utilizaram-se os softwares Anthro e Anthro Plus para classificação das curvas de crescimento por idade, sexo, altura, peso e índice de massa corporal. Analisaram-se as respostas pelos testes estatísticos não paramétrico Kruskal-Wallis, post hoc Dunn-Bonferroni para comparações par-a-par entre idades, sendo p<0,05.

A medida de peso pelo comprimento demonstrou relação com diferentes condições de exame aos 4 anos, principalmente para o dado de velocidade média. O mesmo dado, em diferentes condições de exame, mostrou relação com o índice de massa corporal aos 4 e 5 anos de idade entre as crianças classificadas com excesso de peso e àquelas abaixo do peso. As crianças consideradas abaixo do peso apresentaram maior instabilidade no equilíbrio corporal. Altura e peso mostraram relação para diferentes condições de exame nas três faixas etárias.

Verificou-se associação entre as respostas na posturografia e as medidas corporais individuais (peso, altura e índice de massa corporal), as quais exerceram influência sobre a manutenção do equilíbrio corporal. Desta forma, sugere-se que essas medidas sejam analisadas e consideradas na avaliação com posturografia computadorizada em crianças de 4 a 6 anos.