OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to examine the evidence implicating poor nutrition as a causative factor in the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis. Interactions between nutrition and genetics and biochemistry are considered.

DATA SOURCES: Articles published in American or European journals or conference proceedings from 1955-1990.

STUDY SELECTION: Relevant studies or observations published between 1955 and 1990 are included.

DATA EXTRACTION: Data presented were selected by independent extraction by two reviewers.

DATA SYNTHESIS: There is strong evidence from an animal model for an interaction between poor nutrition and genetics. There are anecdotal data and limited study data for humans. The biochemical mechanisms, explaining the actions of nutritional factors on spinal and paraspinal tissue, are partially known.

CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that poor nutrition may play a role in the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis. This possibility should be examined further in humans.

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