Backpacks Can Be A Pain For Children

Too Much Weight, Wrong Technique, Can Cause Back Problems

CLEVELAND -- Over the next few weeks, children everywhere will be lugging stuffed backpacks filled with school supplies and lunches for the first day of school.

Every year, 5,000 students end up in emergency rooms because their backpacks are too heavy, reported NewsChannel5 in Cleveland.

According to reports, children hurt their back or spine because their backpack is too big, too heavy or worn incorrectly.

Health experts said you could protect a growing back with a good fit and good wearing habits.

Make sure those sling-back satchels fit properly, and adjust the straps to fit your child's body.

"They should limit the weight to what a child can carry comfortably," said physical therapist Shelley Goodgold. "The size of the backpack should match the size of the child. If the backpack has two straps, which we want it to, make sure they use both of them. They should wear their backpack right over the strongest muscles of the back."

Health experts' advice varies, but most agree that a backpack should weigh no more than 10 to 15 percent of your child's body weight.

A backpack is too heavy if a child struggles to put it on or take it off, leans forward while wearing it, complains of pain in the neck, shoulder, back, knees or experiences tingling or numbness in his arms or hands.

Experts said that while shopping, you might want to keep your eye out for "ergo-packs." Several manufacturers are now using ergonomics to design backpacks.

Previous Stories:

• August 9, 2002: Books Of Burden: Kids Suffer From Lugging Texts
• June 25, 2002: Protect Young Backs From Too Much Weight
• October 1, 2001: Is Your Child's Backpack Too Heavy?

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