Health Risks For Children Carrying A Heavy Backpack

School is back in session. Is your child feeling weighed down by not only their workload, but their heavy backpack too?

Children who carry too much weight in their heavy backpack are at risk for developing posture issues and pain in their bodies. The same is also true for children who improperly wear their backpacks.

If your child is complaining of any of these issues, or you notice any of these in your child, it could be signs that their backpack is too heavy.

Problems associated with a heavy backpack or improperly used backpacks:

Bad posture

Neck and shoulder strain

Upper back pain

Lower back pain

Additional risk of falling

The risk of injury increases when your child’s backpack weighs more than 10-15% of their body weight. As a guide, here is what your child’s backpack should weigh at the very most, in comparison to their body weight.

Child Weight vs. Max Backpack Weights

50 pound child = 7.5 pound backpack

80 pound child = 12 pound backpack

100 pound child = 15 pound backpack

Also, how your child wears his or her backpack can have an impact on their posture and whether or not they end up in pain. The weight of the backpack should be distributed evenly across the back and shoulders (as opposed to over one shoulder.) If possible, find a backpack with a lumbar strap for additional support.

If you haven’t already, check the weight of your child’s backpack. Helping him or her to reduce the weight and choose the best backpack possible will help to prevent posture issues and back pain for your child.

[Related Article: How To Ease Backpack Back Strain For Kids]

For help in relieving posture issues or back pain for your child or anyone in your family, schedule a consultation with a physical therapist at Above & Beyond Physical Therapy in Queen Creek or Phoenix contact us today.