16-24s Are Generation Of Slouch Potatoes

New consumer research released today, by the British Chiropractic Association, (BCA) reveals that 50% of 16-24 year olds are currently suffering from back pain compared to 18% just three years ago . But this future generation just isn’t ‘bovvered’ about having a bad back.

Over half of 16-24 year olds have already been told that they have bad posture but 22% weren’t bothered and nearly a third (29%) haven’t done anything about it.

Sedentary lifestyles and slouching have a lot to answer for. Poor posture is the second biggest trigger of back pain amongst this group followed by using PCs and computer games.

Young people have reason to be concerned.

Back pain is not only causing the nation to lose sleep, with 40% of sufferers struggling to get a good night’s rest, 14% missing out on social events because of pain, and, for 15%, it has a negative impact on their sex life.

On Monday 16th April 2007, to coincide with the start of Chiropractic Awareness Week, the BCA is launching Straighten Up UK; a three minute exercise programme designed to help strengthen the spine and improve posture.

The effects of bad posture are far reaching. Not only can it have a negative affect on your health but it could cost you that dream job; nearly 60% of all respondents cited that bad posture was off putting in a job interview situation.

More worryingly, one in three said that poor posture can make people seem unapproachable and lacking in confidence, a further 12% associate bad posture with laziness, while 21% said that it displayed a lack of care about appearance.

When questioned about the cause of their poor posture, 62% of respondents blamed slouching or being tired, 44% blamed seating, 38% choose to slouch when they relax whilst 8% retreat to a bad posture if they are feeling shy or embarrassed.

Women, it seems, are suffering the most, with over 50% of respondents experiencing back pain, and 13% of them claiming that they have suffered with it for as long as they can remember.

Tim Hutchful from the British Chiropractic Association comments: “We are concerned that the incidence of back pain has grown so dramatically amongst young people. In 2004, under one in five young people were suffering, now that figure has risen so that every other young person in the UK has some form of back pain; which is of serious concern.

“We need to educate people about the harm that can be caused by poor posture and work towards reducing the incidence of back pain. By making just a few lifestyle changes, people can help to improve their posture, take care of their spine and help them look and feel their best.”

This research was commissioned by the BCA to coincide with the launch of Straighten Up UK. As part of the campaign the BCA is encouraging people to incorporate the simple 3 minute exercise routine into their daily lives to help strengthen the spine and improve posture – the routine is available to download from Straightenupuk.org.

During Chiropractic Awareness Week, selected BCA chiropractors will be holding Straighten Up UK events which will include fundraising for The Children’s Trust, a charity which provides specialist care, rehabilitation, education and therapy to some of the UK’s most severely disabled children. For more information visit chiropractic-uk.co.uk.