Keywords

Spinal angle, spine, gut volume, gait, lower back pain, obesity

Disciplines

Life Sciences

Mentor

Natalie Laudicina

Abstract

This compilation of research projects investigates the impact of increased gut volume on the lumbosacral disc angle and the central lumbar angle of the spine. The magnitudes of the lumbosacral disc angle can change due to age, pregnancy, sex, and, as hypothesized, gut volume. It is unknown how the central lumbar angle changes due to increased gut volume. This is important because these spinal modifications can result in pain, specifically in the lower back. The consequences of being overweight or obese rarely include the anatomical changes that result due to excess gut volume and center of mass changes. My goal was to examine this skeletal adjustment by comparing lumbosacral angle and central lumbar angle measurements from a sample of 94 adult pelves. Three-dimensional imaging software, Image J and Cloud Compare, were used to measure the pelvic landmarks for comparison with previously measured gut volumetry. The individuals were divided into categories based on their BMIs, ranging from "normal" to obese. Statistical analysis, including linear regression analysis, followed to determine if there are any significant changes in these spinal angles due to gut volume.

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