NEW ZEALAND CHILDREN

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1929, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND CHILDREN

DEFECTS OF POSTURE. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT REST. Wellington, June 13. “New Zealand appears to be producing a type of individual with characteristics* more closely resembling those of the 'thin’ type—a slender, Jooselimbcd, perhaps rather ungainty-fooking child, compared to the stocky type, says Dr. Heten B. BakewcU, school medical officer, in a special report. “This is borne out by previous investigations, which show that in. New Zealand children the standing height is increased compared to sitting height. Granted that this type may not come up to the aesthetic and other standards of the sturdy type, is it for. practical purposes so much inferior? It is a common experience to find the ‘staying powers’ of the thin, lanky child, if anything, superior to those of the stocky type; its resistance to ordinary infections as good or even better; I have noticed often that the chest mobility and Jung expansion are exceHent.” Commenting on the school medica! officer’s report, Dr. Ada Paterson,. Director of the Schoo! Hygiefie Division, states: “We have noted two findings which demand attention because of their practical importance. (1) The young flew Zeatend child of . school age is apparently of a loose-limbed, elastic type which responds readily to environmental influences as habitual posture, exercise, and rest. (2) Nearly all defects of posture are noted to be greater m the seven to eight-year-old group. “It must be remembered that at this acre period, which is one of accelerated growth, instability of posture may tend naturally to be increased, but we must consider also whether the greater percentage of postural defect found in the seven” to eight-year-old group is. not a result of a school curriculum making too great a demand upon the sensitive and immature body of the entrant child. There is undoubtedly an intimate retetionship between nutrition and postuie, and we recognise that it is the wronglyfed, insufficiently-rested child that most readily develops physical deformity. The fatigued, nervous system is expressed in general bodily slackness. There is deficient muscular ligamentous tone. The typical faulty posture is thus acquired with drooping head, flat chest, . wing shoulders, prominent abdomen. Vitality is depressed and the bodily mechanism out of gear. “For the prevention of defect a simple routine is needed where adequate rest alternates with free exercise and play, and where full advantage is taken of sunlight, fresh air, and suitable food. The school curriculum should permit of this. It is essential that the classroom should offer hygienic. conditione, good lighting and suitabte furniture, etc. . “Few young children get sufficient rest. Absolute relaxation in the recumbent position for half-hour daily would be a boon to primer children, and also to a!l who suffer from physical or nervous fatigue. . “The ultimate test of physical perfection must be the reaction of tlie individual to fife. Many defects of posture noted are almost certainly only of aesthetic importance, since physical and mental endurance are often found in association with an unathletic frame.”