The Facts About Backpacks

Now that the back to school season is upon us, shopping for school supplies becomes a number one priority for many children, especially when choosing a backpack. 

Although backpacks are practical, they are a leading cause of back and shoulder pain for millions of children and adolescents.  In fact, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 7,000 children were injured last year due to overloaded backpacks. Additionally, more than five million adult workers are sidelined from work each year due to chronic back pain. How many of these problems started in youth?

Prevention is the best treatment for this potential hazard. It is important to put much thought into buying your child’s backpack. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) offers the following backpack safety checklist for parents:

• Is the backpack the correct size for your child?  The backpack should never be wider or longer than your child’s torso and the pack should not hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.
• Does the backpack have two wide, padded shoulder straps?  Non-padded straps are not only uncomfortable, but also they can place unnecessary pressure on the neck and shoulder muscles.
• Does your child use both straps? Lugging a heavy backpack by one strap can cause a disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, low-back pain, and poor posture.
• Are the shoulder straps adjustable?  The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. The backpack should be evenly centered in the middle of your child's back.
• Does the backpack have a padded back?  A padded back not only provides increased comfort, but also protects your child from being poked by sharp edges on school supplies (pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the pack.
• Does the pack have several compartments?  A backpack with individualized compartments helps position the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child's back, and try to place the heaviest items closet to the body.

It is recommended that parents or guardians help children pack their backpacks properly, and they should make sure children never carry more than 10 percent of their body weight.  For example, a child who weighs 100 pounds shouldn’t carry a backpack heavier than 10 pounds, and a 50-pound child shouldn’t carry more than five pounds.