Resumo (EN)
Introduction — This study had the purpose of tracking down a profile and of confirming the occurrence of postural alterations in 9th grade students of Colégio Objetivo (a secondary school in Brasilia, Brazil). It was carried out at UNIP Campus, Brasília, in 2002. Method — At the first stage 218 students were given questionnaires. At the second stage 18 individuals were selected, of which only 16 were assessed by means of the 1- minute test, which is used to identify conditions of abnormal curvature of the spine. Besides scoliosis, the test can also detect dorsal eyphosis and lumbar lordosis. The sample was determinate for the occurrence of diagnosed cases in the population surveyed, since the main target was not to detect new cases. Results — Seven occurrences of scoliosis were found, six of scoliosis associated to hyperlordosis and three of cyphoscoliosis. The assessment of students' postural attitudes is important for an early detection of problems in their spines. Conclusion — It was possible to verify that scoliosis in students is frequent and easy to recognize, which shows the necessity to develop a permanente program of postural evaluation, in which everyone could be assessed.