Heavy rucksacks storing up back problems for many school-kids

March 15, 2012 in Health

Significant numbers of teens regularly carry rucksacks for school which top 10 to 15 per cent of their body weight and risk back pain and other related disorders, finds research published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

The problem is compounded by a predominantly , say the researchers.

They assessed the back health of 1403 between the ages of 12 and 17, drawn from 11 schools in one province in North Western Spain.

The teens were weighed twice - once without coats and other items likely to add weight, such as mobile phones, keys, and change, but with the rucksack/backpack they normally carried - and the second time without their rucksack.

Their height was also measured and information obtained from their teachers about lifestyle, focusing particularly on sporting activities at school, at home and any underlying .

Information on back health was also sought, including a diagnosis of a spine disorder and the presence of back pain for more than 15 days in a row during the preceding year.

Most (92%) of the teens used a rucksack with two straps, which weighed almost 7 kg on average.

Well over half of the teens (61.5%) were carrying rucksacks that exceeded 10% of their own body weight, while almost one in five (18%) carried a rucksack that topped 15% of their body weight.

One in four (just under 26%) said that they had had back pain for more than 15 days during the previous year. The most common back problem (70% of those with a diagnosis) was or curvature of the spine, followed by , and contractures - continuous and involuntary muscle contraction.

Girls were more at risk of back problems than boys and their risk seemed to increase with age.

Those teens whose rucksacks were among the top 25% in weight were 50% more likely to have back pain for in excess of 15 days than those whose backpacks weighed the least.

The authors point to previous research linking rucksacks to altered gait and posture, which, over the long term, can result in chronic pain and other back problems.

Many children transport excessively loaded backpacks, which is harmful to a developing body, note the authors, who urge doctors and teachers to start advising parents and children on the risks of carrying heavy bags to school every day.

Journal reference: Archives of Disease in Childhood search and more info website

Provided by British Medical Journal search and more info website

not rated yet  

Rank not rated yet
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Keep summer water fun safe with training and supervision

Fun in the summer often means kids spending time in the water, whether at a pool, the beach, a lake or river. A pediatric safety expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) stresses proper training ...

Health created 22 minutes ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Pregnant bellies: Updating the tape measure technique

A new way of interpreting information from a low-tech, age-old method used in pregnancy care is expected to more accurately identify potential health issues for mothers and babies.

Health created 32 minutes ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Obesity weighs down on top soda guzzler Mexico

Artemio Martinez balanced his corpulent frame on a stool in a Mexico City street taco stand, downing a sweet soda and eating a final pork-filled corn tortilla.

Health created 2 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Consumers largely underestimating calorie content of fast food

People eating at fast food restaurants largely underestimate the calorie content of meals, especially large ones, according to a paper published today in BMJ.

Health created 14 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

It's not your imagination: Memory gets muddled at menopause

Don't doubt it when a woman harried by hot flashes says she's having a hard time remembering things. A new study published online in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), helps confirm with o ...

Health created 15 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


Alzheimer's disease, the soft target of the euthanasia debate

(Medical Xpress)—The way Alzheimer's disease is portrayed by advocacy groups and the media is having undue influence on the euthanasia debate, according to a Deakin University nursing ethics professor.

Depression raises diabetics' risk of severe low blood sugar episodes

(Medical Xpress)—Patients with diabetes who are depressed are much more likely to develop episodes of dangerously low blood sugars, or hypoglycemia, than are those who are not depressed, a new study has ...

Reducing experimental inflammatory arthritis

(Medical Xpress)—UCD researchers led by Conway Fellow, Professor David Brayden in UCD School of Veterinary Medicine have successfully reduced inflammation in the swollen arthritic knees of a murine model using a novel nanoparticle.

Ground breaking cancer research finds immune system link

(Medical Xpress)—Curtin University researchers have found evidence that targeting specific cells in the body can reverse the effects of cancer on the immune system.

Researcher identifies breast cancer fighting hormone

Transformative research from Western University has identified new hormones in the body which may suppress breast cancer and stimulate the regression of breast tumors.

New parenting program benefits ADHD children

A new program for treating the emotional health of mothers of children with ADHD has shown significant benefits for the children themselves, finds a new study by University of Maryland researchers. The program combines treatment ...