AIIMS-ICMR study: Teenagers are ruining their health! Spending hours hunched over a mobile phone is dangerous..

How Teens Are Damaging Their Backs: In this age of the internet, teenagers are constantly seen with phones in their hands. Instead of going out, teenagers prefer staying indoors and playing games on their mobile phones or laptops. They also spend hours sedentary in classrooms and rarely exercise. These habits are rapidly increasing the risk of various health problems among teenagers. Hours spent hunched over mobile phones, prolonged periods of sitting in school chairs, and failing to warm up before sports are all taking a toll on teenagers' muscles and bones. A new study by AIIMS and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found that back pain, muscle stiffness, and lack of flexibility are rapidly increasing among children aged 15 to 18 years studying in Delhi schools.

According to a TOI report, AIIMS and ICMR began this study in October 2023 and continued for approximately two years. It included 380 students from two private schools in Delhi. The study revealed that neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, IT band tightness, flat feet, forward head posture, and hamstring stiffness have become common problems among teenagers. According to the researchers, these symptoms are linked to modern lifestyles, such as increased time spent on mobile phones and computers, fewer outdoor games, and the loss of traditional sitting habits.

The researchers explained that sitting cross-legged and using Indian-style toilets helps keep our bodies naturally flexible. These everyday activities stretched the body, but now these habits have almost disappeared. As a result, muscle flexibility and proper movement patterns have weakened in adolescents, which can lead to further health problems in the future. This study aimed to evaluate the muscle movement capacity and flexibility of adolescents and to see how physiotherapy could improve these problems.

During the study, students received physiotherapy-based training for 12 weeks, and the results were positive. Students who performed these exercises experienced improved movement patterns, stronger muscles, and increased flexibility. A 24-week follow-up is ongoing. Researchers warn that the biggest challenge is changing teenagers' daily habits. They may not even realize that their bodies are already reacting to a sedentary lifestyle. If timely action is not taken, these minor problems can develop into serious back and bone problems in the future. Therefore, limiting mobile phone time, increasing outdoor play, and promoting physical activity are crucial.

Experts believe that physiotherapy should be included in the school curriculum to teach students proper exercise and injury prevention during sports. This will not only improve children's health but also nurture future sports talent in India. Regular training will also improve adolescents' body posture and muscle balance. Experts believe that this is not just a matter of today's back pain, but a way to prevent tomorrow's chronic diseases. If good health habits are instilled during adolescence, they will protect them throughout their lives. This study by AIIMS and ICMR is an urgent warning about adolescent health in India, and it is no longer possible to ignore it.

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