Backpacks come in all sizes, colors, fabrics, and shapes and help kids of all ages
express their own personal sense of style. And when used properly, they're incredibly
handy.
Many backpacks come with multiple compartments that help students stay organized
while they tote their books and papers from home to school and back again. Compared
with shoulder bags, messenger bags, or purses, backpacks are better because strong
muscles —
the back and the abdominal muscles — support the weight of the packs.
When worn correctly, the weight in a backpack is evenly distributed across the
body, and shoulder and neck injuries are less common than if someone carried a briefcase
or purse.
As practical as backpacks are, though, they can strain muscles and joints and may
cause back pain if they're too heavy or are used incorrectly.
Here's how to help kids find — and use — the right backpack.
Problems Backpacks Can Pose
Many things can lead to back pain — like playing sports or exercising a lot,
poor posture while sitting, and long periods of inactivity. But some kids have backaches
because they're lugging around their entire locker's worth of books, school supplies,
and personal items all day long.
Doctors and physical therapists recommend that kids carry no more than 10% to 15%
of their body weight in their packs. But many carry a lot more than that. When a heavy backpack is incorrectly placed on the shoulders,
the weight's force can pull a child backward. To compensate, the child might bend
forward at the hips or arch the back. This can make the spine compress unnaturally,
leading to shoulder, neck, and back pain.
Kids who wear their backpacks over just one shoulder — as many do, because
they think it looks better or just feels easier — may end up leaning to one
side to offset the extra weight. They might develop lower and upper back pain and
strain their shoulders and neck.
Improper backpack use can also lead to bad posture. Girls and younger kids may
be especially at risk for backpack-related injuries because they're smaller and may
carry loads that are heavier in proportion to their body weight.
Also, backpacks with tight, narrow straps that dig into the shoulders can interfere
with circulation and nerves. These types of straps can lead to tingling, numbness,
and weakness in the arms and hands.
And bulky or heavy backpacks don't just cause back injuries. Other safety issues
to consider:
- Kids who carry large packs often aren't aware of how much space the packs take
up and can hit others with their packs when turning around or moving through tight
spaces, such as the aisles of a school bus.
- Students can be injured if they trip over large packs or a pack falls on them.
- Carrying a heavy pack changes the way kids walk and puts them at risk of falling,
particularly on stairs or other places where a backpack puts a student off balance.