Your
child's backpack likely is adorned with familiar cartoon faces,
dangling clips and designer logos. But hidden beneath the popular
characters and trendy colors is a health problem that has become a
burden on school kids across the nation.
Designed to
distribute the weight of the load across some of the body's strongest
muscles, backpacks can be a good way for your child to carry the
necessities of the school day, when used correctly. But improperly used
backpacks may injure your child's muscles and joints, leading to
severe back, neck and shoulder pain, as well as posture problems.
More than 21,000 backpack-related injuries are treated at
hospital emergency rooms, doctors' offices and clinics each
year.
Warning signs that your child's bag is too
heavy
- Change in posture when wearing the
backpack.
- Struggling when putting on or removing the
backpack.
- Pain when wearing the backpack.
- Shoulder numbness or red
marks.
Parents are encouraged to take a proactive
approach to backpack safety
- Urge your child to
tell you about pain or discomfort that may be caused by a heavy
backpack.
- Talk to the school about lightening the
load.
- Make sure the school allows students to stop at their
lockers throughout the day.
- Consider buying a second set of
textbooks for your student to keep at
home.
"Despite their potential problems, backpacks are an excellent tool for
students, when used properly," said Dr. Sue Hubbard, a pediatrician
on the medical staff at Children's and assistant clinical
professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern. "Prior to purchase, parents
should consider the bag's construction and functionality more than
its appearance or popularity."
Selecting the right
backpack
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics,
parents should consider the following when selecting a backpack for
their child:
- Wide, padded shoulder straps -
Narrow straps can dig into shoulders. This can cause pain and restrict
circulation.
- Two shoulder straps - Backpacks
with one shoulder strap that runs across the body cannot distribute
weight evenly.
- Padded back - A padded back
protects against sharp edges on objects inside the pack and increases
comfort.
- Waist strap - A waist strap can distribute
the weight of a heavy load more evenly.
- Lightweight
backpack - The backpack itself should not add much
weight to the load.
- Rolling backpack - This type of
backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy
load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up
stairs.
Tips on backpack safety
Students should
follow these guidelines to prevent injury:
- Always use
both shoulder straps - Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can
strain muscles and may increase curvature of the
spine.
- Tighten the straps so that the pack is close to the body - The
straps should hold the pack two inches above the
waist.
- Pack light - The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20
percent of the student's total body weight.
- Organize the
backpack - Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back, and
use all of the bag's compartments to evenly distribute the weight.
- Use lockers - Have your child stop often at their
school locker, if possible, and do not carry all of the books needed
for the day.
- Bend using both knees - Do not bend over at
the waist when wearing or lifting a heavy
backpack.
- Exercise - Strengthen the muscles used to carry the backpack. Ask your
pediatrician for advice.
