In between getting the school uniforms, the long list of textbooks, the must-have shoes and the never-ending list of supplies it is clear that preparations for the new school year are in full swing. In the midst of this mad rush to ensure that children are fashionably ready for the new school year some parents seem to forget that they should be more concerned with the practicality rather than the aesthetics of back-to-school items to ensure that their children remain healthy.
One item most parents fail to put much thought into, that is of concern to doctors is the bag that their children take to school. General practitioner Dr. Patrick Whitfield, says putting function over fashion is one of the most important things to focus on when purchasing the bag your child will take his/her books in. Although backpacks may be fashionable, the doctor who practices out of the Oxford Medical Center says the pack your child carries should be chosen with his/her weight in mind and its function -- rather than its fashion.
"If your child is 60 pounds or less he can carry a maximum backpack weight of five pounds," says Dr. Whitfield. "A child between 60 to 75 pounds should be able to manage 10 pounds while a child 100 pounds can carry about 15 pounds in his backpack. No more than 18 pounds and 20 pounds is appropriate for children weighing 125 pounds and 150 pounds to carry respectively. If your child is 200 pounds, a bag weighing 25 pounds should be the maximum.
The same goes for anyone at this weight or more even if they are adults," he says. "The American Physical Therapy Association, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the American Chiropractic Association recommend these weight limits so the average child can avoid back problems."
He says children carting around the wrong backpack in their youthful days can later in life, lead to unexplained or a high susceptibility to back pains, strains or aches that can develop, especially in the 20's and 30's even after the back-pack wearing days have passed.
The doctor says choosing the right schoolbag is just as important as choosing the right shoes or school supplies for your child. Failing to carefully choose a proper schoolbag for your child he says is like failing to fully prepare them for the new year.
In choosing the right backpack, Dr. Whitfield says parents should look to purchase a bag that is lightweight because children should not carry more weight than they have to, and considering the weight to bag guidelines as set out by The American Physical Therapy Association, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the American Chiropractic Association.
While bag shopping, the medical practitioner says parents should take into consideration the different needs of their child, and the load he/she will be carrying daily, as requirements can differ depending not only on the amount of books the child will need, but his weight as well.
"It is not healthy for your child to have to deal with a badly chosen bag which is either too heavy, not balanced correctly or does not provide enough spinal or shoulder support," says Dr. Whitfield.
What to look for in a school bag:
When shopping, he says parents should look to purchase a bag with canvass straps that are at least two inches wide, to allow for even weight distribution over the child's shoulders. A bag with padded straps he says makes it more comfortable for the child to take around. A lumbar support in the padding as well as a strap that connects the two shoulder straps he says will also help prevent slouching which can lead to medical problems later on in life.
Bags designed with a waist strap he says, will help to transfer the load to the child's hips. Ensuring the bag has separate compartments not only assists in the load not shifting during movement but he says also keeps things neat and organized. Dr. Whitfield says a good bag has most, if not all of the features listed.
One shoulder and messenger bag designs should definitely be avoided says the medical practitioner, as the models do not provide the necessary balance and support children need on a daily basis. He says the wrong bag and wearing the bag inappropriately can cause your child shoulder pain, acute back pain and contribute to an awkward walking gait that can wear down shoes in certain areas faster than usual.
"If a child is not comfortable with the bag, no matter how fashionable it is, parents should take the initiative to purchase a better bag. While the child may not mention just how awkward the bag is, or even worry about minor back pain now, later in life, unexplained or a high susceptibility to back pains, strains or ache can develop, especially in the 20's and 30's, even after the back-pack wearing days have passed."
Pack bags appropriately:
You may think that having chosen a good bag appropriate for your child's weight is all you need to worry about to help your student avoid injury, but the doctor says that is only half the worry. He says it is absolutely essential that bags aren't overloaded. Doing so he says, is the chief culprit in backpack related injuries in children.
"When your child packs his bag you need to teach him to pack only what is needed," says the general practitioner. "Heavier items such as textbooks should be placed at the bottom of the bag so they are closer and more secure next to the child's body," says the doctor. Getting children to use their bag properly is another issue parents should ensure that they address.
He says the child should be constantly reminded to use both straps when carrying the bag and not have it slung over one shoulder. Shoulder straps should be tightened so that the backpack fits snugly and hangs slightly below the shoulders and not far down the back, or too high on the neck. If the bag is designed with additional straps for the waist and chest, the doctor says parents should ensure children use them as it will give extra support and pull less on the child's back and shoulders.
Dr. Whitfield says it is also important to fill the bag's compartments so that the load is evenly distributed throughout the backpack. "Not providing your child with the right kind of bag can end up being an unneeded distraction and long-term health risk," says the doctor. "More children today than in years past are complaining about back pains which can initially disappear but resurface years later in adulthood. This can all be avoided if a supportive bag packed appropriately is used throughout a child's school years."
To maintain good posture, he says students should not lean forward when walking. If a child is walking forward when they are wearing their bag, he says it is too heavy.
Dr. Whitfield also advises that students not wear their backpacks constantly. Even if the bag is light, he says it will eventually get heavy due to the back muscles having to strain themselves to carry it. If you can, he suggests children taking a roller bag to school if they can do so without endangering other students due to accidental tripping. Rolling bags he says will avoid students having to carry the bag at all. But even with these bags, the doctor says parents should ensure that the handle is long enough so that children won't have to bend over to pull it along.
Your child does not have to suffer from back pain or other related issues this school year, and he says the kind of school bag your child carries this year will be important to their overall well-being now, and in the future.
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