Back Pain Among Children: On The Impact Of Heavy Weight School Bag

Back pain was something prevalent among elderly people after a certain age in the past, but due to some changes in the lifestyle and impact of some practices, the uncomfortable pain in the back has now become widespread among schoolchildren. Most of the reasons for back pain are attributed to the lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyles and improper body postures.

However, the surge in the cases of back pain at a younger age, especially in school-going children requires comprehensive analysis and the stakeholders must come up with solutions to thwart the surge in such cases by taking appropriate measures.

According to Dr Pramod Bhor, Director of Orthopedics and Robotic Joint Replacement Surgeon, Fortis Hospital, Vashi, the child’s spinal problems are not just the reason for the back pain among children, but the improper posture induced by heavy backpacks, especially the school children carry is one of the reasons for the disease’s prevalence among the children.

“Back pain is not only associated with a child”s spinal problems but even poor posture, which is carrying heavy backpacks, improper sitting positions in class or at home, and frequently looking down at a phone or tablet,” Dr Pramod Bhor said.

Talking about the weight a child can normally carry, Pramod Bhor said: “Children in classes 1 and 2 should use weights between 1.5 kg and 2 kg, while children in classes 3 to 5 should use weights between 2 kg and 3 kg. For children in classes 6 to 8, the recommended weight range is between 3 kg and 4 kg, and for children in classes 9 and 10, the suggested weight is 5 kg, however being said that the lesser the weight on the back the more chances of them having normal growth.”

Stanford Medicine Children”s Health says that children should not weigh more than 15% of their overall body weight. According to Dr Nitish Arora, Consultant Trauma, Limb Reconstruction, Deformity Correction & Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon from Medicover Hospitals, Mumbai, the bags that the child wears should have dual straps, and the children should wear them in an equal manner by evenly distributing the weight on each shoulder comfortably. She also opined that the backpack should not reach below the waist.

“It”s important to avoid overloading one side of the body, as this can cause muscle fatigue and discomfort when using that side,” added Nitish Arora stressing that wearing a heavy weighted bag on one side will strain that side more, impacting the muscles of that side.

He further said that maintaining a correct posture is important for a straight spine and to reduce back pain. He also suggested promoting good posture and sitting positions in children at home and exhorted parents to encourage children engage in more physical activity.