Anthropometry, Neck Posture and Smartphones: Exploring Interrelationships in Young College Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2534Keywords:
Smartphone, Addiction, Anthropometry, Neck PostureAbstract
Introduction: Smartphone addiction is increasingly common among young adults and tied to musculoskeletal problems, but we know little about how it connects to posture, body measurements, and composition. This study explores those links in university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done with 51 healthy students (18-25 years old) at SGT University. They completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and a health assessment, plus measurements of craniovertebral angle (CVA) using Kinovea software, anthropometrics (like skinfolds, neck circumference, and shoulder width), and body composition via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). We used Pearson correlations to spot relationships (p < 0.05). Results: Students had moderate SAS scores (27.88 ± 8.31), mild neck disability (7.71 ± 6.40), and average CVA of 54.79 ± 5.44°. Higher smartphone addiction linked to more body fat (r = 0.302, p = 0.031). Health scores dropped with higher BMI (r = -0.769, p < 0.001), body fat rate (r = -0.674, p < 0.001), body fat mass (r = -0.631, p < 0.001), and measures like neck circumference (r = -0.307, p = 0.029), shoulder width (r = -0.366, p = 0.008), and upper arm girth (r = -0.376, p = 0.007)—but rose with better hydration (r = 0.554, p < 0.001). Poorer posture (lower CVA) is related to higher body fat (r = -0.468, p = 0.043) and narrower shoulders (r = 0.461, p = 0.047). Smartphone addiction didn't strongly connect to posture, body measurements, or most metabolic factors. Conclusion: In young adults, body fat levels drive health and posture more than smartphone habits alone, though addiction does boost fat gain. Targeting sedentary habits and body composition could help prevent issues.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ankita R. Parkhe, Lalli M. Singh, Harsirjan Kaur
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Articles published in the International Journal of Kinanthropometry are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided appropriate credit is given to the original authors and the source.
