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15 March 2012 Last updated at 03:35 ET Share this page
School bags 'causing back pain'
Do backpacks damage backs?
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Rucksacks loaded with school books have been linked to higher levels of back pain in a study of Spanish school children.
The findings, reported in Archives of Disease in Childhood, said many pupils had "excessively loaded" backpacks.
This was linked to higher levels of back pain in the 1,403 school children taking part in the study.
The research took place at Hospital da Costa in Burela and University Hospital Son Dureta in Palma.
The report's authors said school children should not carry anything which weighs more than 10% of their body weight.
Measurements were taken from pupils aged 12-17 from 11 schools in Northern Spain. It showed that nearly two thirds of pupils had backpacks which were 10% heavier than they were.
The weight of the bags was then analysed for back pain, measured as at least 15 days in a year with back pain.
The pupils were split into four groups based on the weight of their bags. Pupils in the group with the heaviest bags were 50% more likely to have reported back pain than in the group with the lightest bags.
The report said back pain was a bigger problem in school girls and that the risk increased with age.
The authors concluded: "The results obtained have strong implications.
"Many children transport excessively loaded backpacks, an excess which would not be allowed for workers in employment."
Do you worry about your child carrying too much? Is your back pain linked to carrying an excessively loaded backpack? Send us your comments and experiences.
School bags 'causing back pain'
Do backpacks damage backs? Continue reading the main story Related Stories
- School bags are a pain in the back
- Bungee schoolbag 'may reduce backache'
- Targeted back pain care 'better'
Rucksacks loaded with school books have been linked to higher levels of back pain in a study of Spanish school children.
The findings, reported in Archives of Disease in Childhood, said many pupils had "excessively loaded" backpacks.
This was linked to higher levels of back pain in the 1,403 school children taking part in the study.
The research took place at Hospital da Costa in Burela and University Hospital Son Dureta in Palma.
The report's authors said school children should not carry anything which weighs more than 10% of their body weight.
Measurements were taken from pupils aged 12-17 from 11 schools in Northern Spain. It showed that nearly two thirds of pupils had backpacks which were 10% heavier than they were.
The weight of the bags was then analysed for back pain, measured as at least 15 days in a year with back pain.
The pupils were split into four groups based on the weight of their bags. Pupils in the group with the heaviest bags were 50% more likely to have reported back pain than in the group with the lightest bags.
The report said back pain was a bigger problem in school girls and that the risk increased with age.
The authors concluded: "The results obtained have strong implications.
"Many children transport excessively loaded backpacks, an excess which would not be allowed for workers in employment."
Do you worry about your child carrying too much? Is your back pain linked to carrying an excessively loaded backpack? Send us your comments and experiences.