Backpacks that make the grade

With the academic season under way we will see many children carrying heavy backpacks to and from school. For some children it is mainly books, for others it is band instruments and sports equipment. These items can weigh a lot, and the majority of the weight is supported by your children's back. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that children carry no more than 10 percent of their weight in a backpack.

Helpful suggestions

Studies report that children carry too much weight on their back. Backpacks have been found to trigger nearly half of the back pain that had been reported and most children only carry their backpacks for 10 to 15 minutes daily.

You can protect your child's back by:

• Choose a backpack that has two wide padded straps that go over the shoulder. Make sure your children put both arms through the straps, not just one. You may also want to consider buying your child the wheeled backpack as an alternative.
• Monitor what your children carry. The total weight should not be more than 10 percent of a child's body weight.
• Teach your children to pack the heaviest books closest to their backs.
• Coach your children to go to their lockers as often as possible to minimize the time that they are carrying their books.

Teaching your children these health tips to lighten their load will benefit their back as an adult. You might want to check the weight of your purse or briefcase that you carry each day. Females that carry a purse along with a backpack had significantly more back pain than females who didn't. If your children or adolescent complain of back pain you may want to consult a chiropractor to prevent any problems that may occur during their growth and development.