Heavy Backpacks May Be a Weighty Problem for Kids

by KYW's medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough

If you have children in grade school or in high school, you have probably noticed the heavy backpacks that they're carrying and there is a clear problem. The average backpack load of a typical United States middle-schooler is too heavy. In addition, the weight of backpacks can be distributed unevenly. That can be a problem because uneven pressure on the shoulder from weighty backpacks may lead to shoulder pain or low back pain.

Here are some tips as we head into the school year: backpacks should be positioned high on the back. Backpack straps should be over both shoulders. Weight in the backpack should be minimized, and backpacks should have wide straps. Of course, the most important advice, don't overload with books. After all, use common sense.

Do what you can because you don't want your children running into back problems early in life.