Backpack Dangers

School is right around the corner and there are many kids that have already started school or are preparing for that first bell to ring. Every child has a list of supplies that they are gathering for their return to school, and at the top of that list is a backpack. There are about 79 million students in the United States who carry backpacks on a daily basis. Recent studies have shown that 55% of children carry backpacks that are more than their body weight (your child should never carry more than 15-20% of their body weight in their backpacks).

Children in elementary school and middle school are still growing and it is a risky time in development of their musculoskeletal system and injuries during these years can have life long effects. Backpacks are designed to distribute weight over the bodies stronger muscles, but if they are worn incorrectly, injuries such as strains, sprains and posture problems can occur.

A study published by the University of California Riverside focused on over 3000 middle school patients. They focused on the correlation of the weight of their backpacks vs the weight of the student. The results of study showed that as percent of the weight of the backpack to the students body weight increased the occurrence of back pain increased as well.

There are very simple backpack safety tips that parents can focus and educate their children on to help prevent backpacks being risk factor or cause of injuries for their child.