School backpacks

The high number of reports of adolescents suffering from regular episodes of spinal (back, neck or shoulder) pain is a concern worldwide. Studies in Victoria found that one in three school students suffered significant back or neck pain, often thought to be related to carrying heavy schoolbags. Keeping the items in the bag as light as possible and wearing the backpack the right way can help reduce these problems.

A good school backpack should:

• Be appropriately sized for your child. It shouldn’t extend past her shoulders when sitting down with it on, or be wider than her chest.
• Be comparatively lightweight. Fully packed, it shouldn’t weigh more than 10% of your child’s body weight (that’s the lean body weight, so it’s even less for overweight children).
• Be sturdy and reasonably water-resistant (or have a rain cover). The material should be firm to prevent sagging, and the base should be abrasive-resistant and/or reinforced.
• Have a moulded frame and/or an adjustable hip or waist strap, so most of the weight rests on your child’s hips and pelvis, not on his shoulders and spine. The waist/hip belt is particularly important to secure the load when walking, running or cycling.
• Have adjustable, broad, padded shoulder straps that help distribute your child’s weight evenly, and don’t dig into her.
• Have a padded or quilted back for comfort.
• Have compression straps at the sides to draw the load together and bring it close to your child’s back. These straps also help stabilise the contents of a partially filled pack.
• Have a sternum (chest) strap to help stabilise the load and prevent the straps slipping off his shoulders. It should sit about 10 cm down from his Adam’s apple. (Look for a detachable strap if you’re not sure your child will wear it.)
• Have several pockets to help with even weight distribution and organisation inside. A drink bottle holder on the side keeps potential spillages outside the bag.

Using it properly

Sometimes children, especially high school students, can’t avoid carrying more in their backpacks than is recommended by the ‘10% of bodyweight’ guide. At those times, it’s even more important they wear their bags properly. It’s a good idea to try to remember the following:

• Backpacks are designed to safely carry a load that’s symmetrical, stable and close to the spine. The safety design won’t work if they’re worn casually over one shoulder.
• If necessary, show your child how to put the backpack on properly: face the straps then lift it up by the top loop with both hands and bent knees, pushing up with the legs. Place one strap over one shoulder, then the other – or put it on the edge of a desk and loop both arms through together.
• A backpack should be worn so the waist strap (or hip belt) sits firmly at its intended height.
• Shoulder straps should be adjusted so your child doesn’t have to lean forward. The base of the pack should rest on her hips – not on her bottom, as many young people like to wear them.
• Before your child heads off to school, make sure he’s packed his bag properly. Items shouldn’t be able to move around, and the heaviest objects should be packed closest to his back to reduce stress on his spine, with lighter items away from his spine.
• Encourage her to repack her bag daily, only taking what she needs that day. Encourage her to make use of the lockers at school if they’re available.

Wheeled bags

If your child needs to carry lots of things regularly, a bag with wheels and a pull-out handle might seem like a good idea. The theory is fine, but there are concerns about the practical implications. He may have to pull it over bumpy terrain and on grassed footpaths, and have to lift and carry it on stairs or onto public transport – and experts think using a wheeled bag in this way could create other problems. As well as being awkward, it might cause minor injuries from bags flipping over, a sore arm (as people tend to use one hand only to pull the bag), or a back injury from lifting a heavy bag (they’re not likely to weigh any less than a packed backpack).

See the full CHOICE online report for more information on school backpacks, what to look for, endorsed bags, brands and trends.

Go to CHOICE for expert, unbiased tests and reports on baby products, appliances, electronics, food and finances.

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