Correlation between body mass index with thoracic and lumbar curves in female students at Jouf University.

Increasing body mass index (BMI) may affect the angles of the thoracic and lumber spines due to an increase in the load on spinal curvature and weakness of paraspinal muscles. This study aimed to detect the relationship between BMI with lumbar and thoracic curves and examined the relationship between waist circumference and lumbar curve in young females. Sixty-five female participants were recruited from Jouf University, ten participants were excluded. Age was between (18 and 25 years old) with a BMI (of 18.5–34.9 kg/cm2). Waist circumferences were measured using tape measurement. With a flexible ruler, the lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis angles were measured from a standing posture. Body mass index had a non-significant correlation with thoracic kyphosis (p = 0.966) while, it had a moderate positive significant correlation with lumber lordosis (p = 0.001). Waist circumference had a moderate positive significant correlation with lumber lordosis (p = 0.001). The positive correlation of lumbar lordosis with BMI and waist circumference refers to changes in lumbar lordosis angle, while there was no correlation between BMI and thoracic kyphosis.