School backpacks are too heavy! What are the risks for children? The experts respond...
Suffering from back pain has become, unfortunately, a fairly common problem not only for adults, but also for school-age children.
In fact, the very young are being forced to carry very heavy backpacks five or six days a week for nine months and for at least eight years. This back fatigue can lead to serious consequences for the spine.
Some health institutions explain what happens to school-age children when their backpacks are overloaded, and the rules to be applied to prevent back pain and other serious consequences.
via thespinehealthinstitute.com
The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that back pain is the leading cause of disability in the world and estimates that one in three children suffer from it.
There is another disturbing fact that is also confirmed by a study conducted by the Spine Health Institute: 33% of children aged between 11 and 14 have back problems.
Experts explain that the origin should be sought in heavy backpacks, which the students carry on their shoulders daily. In fact, the excessive weight causes an increase in the compression and the curvature of the lumbar disc, as well as muscle fatigue.
Furthermore, even carrying backpacks incorrectly can lead to repercussions on the health of the spine, back, and shoulders.
To attempt to prevent back problems, first, you need to carry backpacks and bags in the correct way. Therefore, never by hand or on one shoulder! This is to avoid distortion of the central and lower part of the back, and curvature in the upper part, namely, the shoulders and neck.
If you use shoulder bags it is good to alternate shoulders, so that there is not too much fatigue on one of the two. It is also important to do some physical exercises to strengthen all the back muscles. In addition, you can take some small measures to avoid making your backpack heavy. Here are some that are very effective:
- 1. Choose a backpack with padded shoulder straps and back.
- 2. Organize objects inside the backpacks well. The objects that are heavier should be placed near the center of the back, in such a way as to balance the weight on the whole spinal column.
- 3. Take with you only the things you need and not the superfluous ones.
In any case, the golden rule remains --- always consult a doctor when children have back pain problems, most of all when it is the younger school-aged children who are suffering.
