Most School Backpacks Are Too Heavy
For Children

You see it every school day. School children who are slightly hunched over, carrying a backpack on their backs. The concern is how heavy these backpacks are, especially for Children. They have to hunch forward a bit many times under The weight and do this dozens of times per day. Heavy School Backpack Causes Harm A recent study suggests that children may be doing themselves harm. Fifty-five percent of the Massachusetts children surveyed by researchers at Simmons

College typically carry loads heavier than 15 percent of
their body weight - the limit recommended by the
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

One-third of the 345 children in grades 5 through
8 surveyed reported back pain that forced them to
see a doctor, miss school or skip athletic
activities. Because children are still developing,
they are more susceptible to injury.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has
reported that in 1999, more than 800 youngsters
were treated in emergency rooms for
backpack-related injuries.

Parent Look At Your Child's Backpack

Perhaps you should review with your child the best
ways to carry the backpack. What will help?
Obviously not to overload the backpack. Perhaps
putting in only what is needed for a couple of
hours at school and then going back to the locker
for the next batch.

They should not put the backpack strap over one
shoulder and not the other. Using both straps on
the pack is good for weight distribution. Some do
have a hip belt as well and use of this is
recommended by health professionals. Packs
designed with metal frames are good as well,
although not really popular among most school aged
children.

If your child has been carrying a heavy back pack
to school, or complains of back problems, pain or
headaches, it would be wise to take him/her to a
Chiropractor to have an analysis of the spine and it's
alignment as a part of making sure that your child
stays healthy.


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Article written by Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac.Jeannie
publishes Healthy Living newsletter. She shares
health answers that work, tips, nutrition
suggestions and research. You can subscribe To
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