School Bag: What Should You Look Out For?

What are the consequences of an overweight school bag?

A common concern is that a heavy school bag may cause scoliosis in a child. This has not been scientifically proven, and a heavy school bag has not been implicated in the development or worsening of pre-existing scoliosis. Nevertheless, excess weight can cause musculoskeletal pain in the student’s body. The shoulders, back, neck and lower back may be negatively affected.

In addition to the above, a school bag that is too heavy for the child can also cause harm in other ways. A heavy school bag, especially if it is not worn correctly, can cause instability while walking and make the student more prone to falls and subsequent injuries.

Prevention Methods

Choosing the right school bag is a basic requirement for avoiding injuries. Obviously, this is not about the appearance of the bag, but about what it offers the student.

Starting with the straps of the school bag, which support it on the child’s shoulders, they should be relatively wide. This allows the weight of the bag to be distributed more evenly. Also, in order to avoid harmful pressure on the shoulders, the child should not use only one of the two straps.

The back of the school bag should be covered, at the point where it comes into contact with the child’s back, with soft and protective padding. The back absorbs the impact when the student walks and the bag comes into contact with the back at every step. In addition, the back of the school bag should fit closely against the student’s back in order to reduce these impacts as much as possible.

Finally, the ideal school bag should have several compartments so that the weight of its contents is distributed evenly. The heaviest books should be placed in the largest compartment and the rest distributed accordingly. The weight of the school bag should not exceed 10% of the child’s body weight. In general, it is best for the bag to be kept as light as possible.

Correct Use of the School Bag

The most important thing is not to overload it. Both straps should be worn over the child’s shoulders so that the weight of the bag is distributed evenly. The entire available space provided by the school bag should also be used. Proper distribution of the books also helps to distribute the weight correctly.

Is a Wheeled School Bag the Solution?

Although in theory it may be a better solution, in practice wheeled school bags are not used correctly, especially on stairs.

Read also: Returning to the Gym: Everything You Need to Know, The Most Common Summer Injuries and Ankle Pain Without Injury. More answers in the frequently asked questions.