Children's Backpacks Could Be Dangerous

It was recently reported that some Chiropractors are warning parents to make sure their children are wearing properly fitted and secure backpacks.

A Newcastle chiropractor says the most common problem tends to be that students like to use the "trendy" backpacks. "What is really important is to have added support, the right size bag and a bag fitted correctly between hip and shoulder height," she says.

Ergonomically designed backpacks are encouraged, however many students still carry them incorrectly. The report goes on to say a survey of 1000 school children showed one in three suffer significant back or neck pain with 46 per cent of students carrying backpacks in excess of 10 per cent of their body weight. Backpacks should be no heavier than 10 per cent of the child's body weight when packed and no wider than the child's chest. To avoid injury parents should choose a backpack for their children that has broad, padded shoulder straps and should have their kids use both shoulder straps, waist and chest straps.