Weighing in on Heavy Backpacks:
Kids Corner

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, January 15 and May 14, 2005
Show 202

Have you picked up your child's backpack lately?  Can you?  Though childhood should be a carefree time, some of today's kids are carrying the weight of the world, in their backpacks.  Some kids look at giant heavy backpacks as a status symbol, but those backpacks can cause injuries, sometimes leading to lifelong problems like slip disks and muscle tears.  In fact, research has shown that adults with severe back problems often had pain as children.  So what can you do to save your child's back from long-term trouble?  One idea is obvious.  Kids, let's lighten the load.  Take that out for example.  Anything that's not essential can be removed from the backpack.  That means books they don't need for homework or buying duplicate books to keep at home and getting rid of the stuff that tends to accumulate over time.  Or you can get one of these--it's a backpack with wheels, but at least make sure you're keeping backpack strain to a minimum.  The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons offers these suggestions.  Choose a lightweight backpack with two wide adjustable shoulder straps that won't dig in, and make sure it has a waist strap to help with weight distribution.  The bottom of the pack should be a couple of inches above the waist and use both straps; don't just sling it over one shoulder.  Above all else, make sure to have your children tell you if their backs hurt.  All kids complain about having too much homework, but if it's the weight of their homework that's the issue, make sure you do something about it before they have long-term problems.