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Effects of Heavy Backpacks on Children

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 7,000 school-going children went to the emergency room for treatment of injuries related to backpacks in 2001. If children carry backpacks that are too heavy, they run the risk of pain, poor posture and injury.

  1. Injury Risks

    • Children go through growth spurts, especially during adolescence. This makes their bones more susceptible to injury.

    Pain

    • If a child complains of back pain or his posture suddenly changes, it may be because his backpack is too heavy or being worn improperly. It's best to visit his pediatrician.

    Nerve Damage

    • Carrying heavy backpacks over a long period of time can lead to immediate and future spinal injuries. When their backpacks get too heavy, children tend to stoop over and then bend their necks upward, possibly causing nerve damage in the neck.

    Posture Risks

    • Children can compromise their posture if they carry backpacks improperly or if they carry backpacks that are too heavy for them. Children do not adjust their stride when they get tired as adults commonly do. Instead, they drop forward and tend to continue walking this way.

    Stress Fractures

    • Spindyloysis, a stress fracture in the back, is a common backpack-related injury in children, which is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.

    Solutions

    • The most important thing is to make sure a child doesn't carry unneeded materials in her backpack. Next, make sure the backpack fits properly. The child should wear both straps, and the backpack should be positioned high on the back. The straps should be as wide as possible and preferably padded. A waist belt can help to distribute the weight more evenly.

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