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Wearing a school backpack correctly isn’t child’s play – your kid’s back can suffer lasting injury if a few important pointers aren’t followed. Check out our tips – and take a little weight off your child’s shoulders.
An increasing number of South African school children are developing back problems. Doctors suggest a major reason for this is overloaded or badly fitted school backpacks. Children today are less active than those of previous generations and this makes them more prone to injuries
caused by backpacks that are too heavy.
The teen years are also the period of fastest
growth and development, which means teenaged
spines are particularly vulnerable.
Adjustable straps:
The straps should not be too
loose. Get your children into
the habit of adjusting the straps
every time they put on or take off
the backpack. Bags that can be
adjusted will eliminate the need
to twist the spine as kids
squirm into or out of
the straps.
Pack it right:
Make sure the backpack
contains only the essentials.
Bags with compartments help
to organise and distribute
the weight evenly. Take care
to pack heavier items at the
bottom and as close to the
child’s back as possible to take
the strain off the shoulders and
to encourage better posture.
Use a hip-belt:
Choose a backpack
with a hip-belt to ensure
the neck and shoulders
don’t have to bear
all the weight of
the bag.
Wide, padded shoulder straps:
Make sure shoulder
straps are wide enough
and have enough
padding to provide
maximum comfort
and support.
Use both straps
Wear the straps
over both shoulders
to ensure an even
weight distribution
over the back and
shoulders.
The correct weight:
The backpack shouldn’t
weigh more than 15 per cent
of the child’s body weight. If
the weight of the bag forces
the child to lean forward it
means it’s overloaded.
Position of
the backpack:
Make sure the
backpack doesn’t
hang lower than
the waistline.
YOU Pulse Summer 2007/8
Beating backpack back pain
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