You and Your Health - How to choose the correct school backpack
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, September 19, 2018
By Dr. Mark Perrett
Neepawa Banner & Press
It is that time of year again when the first school bells will be ringing alerting students that it is the season for learning. Parents will be waving them off with a sigh of relief that the inevitable summer boredom and sibling fighting has come to an end!
One of the most important tools of school is the backpack. Children are not immune to muscle joint pain and it is important to have a well fitted back pack to prevent problems. Parents are challenged every year by their child to find the most unique and coolest pack ever. Cool is important, however there are some key things to look for when purchasing that back pack:
Straps
Proper straps are a must for a back pack. According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association, the pack should never extend past the waistline by 4 inches. Look for a back pack that has adjustable straps and make sure when fitting the pack to your child that the pack is snug against their spine. If the pack is too low and too far away from the spine the child ends up slouching forward, putting extra strain on the neck and mid-back.
Also comfortable padded straps are a must. A great test for this is to squeeze the foam in the straps. The padding is good if there is a slow re-shaping and that the padding is firm. Children and youth should always wear two straps to evenly distribute the weight across the shoulders and back. Avoid buying one strap packs.
A hip strap is great with larger packs to help distribute the weight off the shoulders and onto the hips.
Size
Children should only be carrying 10% to 15% of their body weight in their back pack. That means if your child weighs 100 lbs, they should only have 10 to 15 lbs in their pack. The spine is made up of 33 bones which can be compressed unnaturally if your child’s backpack is too heavy or worn incorrectly. An unsafe or heavy backpack can create issues with posture that continue even after the backpack is no longer worn.
Avoid back packs made of heavy materials like leather or packs with a lot of accessories that add weight. Multiple pockets are a great option so that weight can be distributed evenly in the pack.
Even better, is finding a back pack that has wheels and an extendable handle. These are starting to become more available and in a lot of great designs.
Construction
Look for a well-built pack made of synthetic fibers, like nylon. This material is more resistant to moisture and is lightweight. Look for full sewn seems that are stitched without any material ends exposed. Heavy durable zippers are a must, as they are the most common thing to fail in a back pack. Test the zippers before purchasing and make sure they don’t catch on any materials. Avoid Velcro closures as they are not as durable as zippers.
Back to school is a wonderful time of the year for kids, and often parents too! Purchase a safe back pack for your child, don’t let them pack it too heavy, and adjust the straps to get the correct fit for them. All of this will prevent extra unwanted stress on their spine and muscles.
Activity Fact: According to the British Journal of Pain, studies have shown that the prevalence of low back pain in schoolchildren ranges from 25 per cent to 55 per cent in those aged between 10 and 15 years.
