Guest Author - Paula Petrie

Backpacks are required to carry a lot more than homework these days. Along with a binder, pencils and a sandwich, you will find a heavy textbook for each subject, a water bottle, an MP3 player, runners, and gym clothes. While this makes us worry over our children and the dangers of an overloaded pack, a resent study offers an enlightened perspective.

“There is no good scientific evidence to support the claim that a schoolbag load is a contributing factor to the development of low back pain in growing children," says Dr Andrew Haig, medical director of the University of Michigan's Spine Program and an associate professor of physical medicine, rehabilitation, and surgery, at the university's medical school. Dr. Haig’s study indicates a child's activity level and body weight are more apt to affect whether they suffer back pain. The most likely culprits being video games and junk food. My own son's back pain was attributed to a need for orthopedic insoles.

Backpacks are more of a danger to children when they're left on the classroom floor. "Kids are more likely to be hurt by running into backpacks or by tripping over them," say researchers from the Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Although children are more apt to choose a backpack on color or design, for parents there are other considerations. Durable rip-resistant nylon is easy to clean. Plastic or polyvinyl packs can crack in cold weather.

Look for quality construction with sturdy zippers and reinforced stress points. Choose wide, durable padded shoulder straps and a wide hip belt to aid weight distribution and steady the load. For students carrying a lot of textbooks, find a backpack with a foam-padded back panel to prevent sharp edges from digging in. A good safety feature is reflective materials in the detailing.

A strong top loop or handle makes it easy for a child to hang the pack in a locker or to carry it by hand. Backpacks with a large u-shaped opening make it easier to load and unload books and duo tangs. And lots of small side and front pouches make it easier for a child to be organized.

One common mistake is purchasing a backpack that is too large for the child. For younger children try the smaller sized backpacks A backpack should fit between the top edge of the shoulders and the lower part of the back, sitting along the top of the hipbone.

According to information compiled by the Alberta Association of Occupational Therapists, the most common problems with backpacks arise from overloading a pack, not loading a pack properly, or not wearing the pack correctly. Watch for hunched over posture, or leaning to one side. The weight of the pack should not be more than 10% of an elementary school child’s body weight and 15% with junior and senior high students. When packing a bag, place heavier items on the top and along the back of the pack. Then it’s happy trekking!