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Backpack Facts 40 million teenagers carry a backpack to school each day. While carrying a backpack to school every morning may seem harmless enough, it can cause painful back and neck problems and injuries for students who don't pack or carry their backpacks properly. It can also lead to long-term health problems. In fact, more and more doctors are seeing children for back pain and injuries.
Health professionals advise that individuals carry no more than 10-15% of their body weight on their backs: Example: A child weighing:
- 50 lbs. should carry no more than 7.5 lbs.
- 80 lbs. should carry no more than 12 lbs.
- 100 lbs. should carry no more than 15 lbs.
- 130 lbs. should carry no more than 19.5 lbs.
- 150 lbs. should carry no more than 22.5 lbs.
Many children are carrying up to 40 lbs. and are injuring themselves and ruining their health. Today's heavy loads are causing injuries that last a lifetime.
Recent Studies: A study by Northeastern University (June 01) reported that the average student has a VAS (Visual Analog Scale) pain level of 4.3 with a high percent reporting in the range of 8-9. The students who wore an AirPacks backpack for six weeks had a VAS pain level of 1.8, a 50% reduction in pain.
> A study by Simmons College (February 01) found that 55% of students carry more than the recommended guidelines of 10-15% of their bodyweight on their backs.
> When 200 New England school nurses were surveyed, 66% reported seeing students with pain or injury that could be attributed to carrying backpacks that were too heavy.
> In October 1999 the American Academy of Orthopedics stated that "of the more than 100 physicians surveyed":
- 71% felt that backpacks are a clinical problem for children
- 58% have seen patients complaining of back or should pain related to backpacks
- 65% have recommended that a patient modify the use of a backpack to improve or correct a back problem
- 52% feel that backpack injury is a significant problem
Survey was conducted amongst physicians from Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL and Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, WIlmington, DE
> In November 1998 the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning concerning injuries related to backpacks. The commission estimated that "3,300 children aged 5 to 14 were treated in emergency rooms last year for injuries related to book bags".
> An Auburn University study reported that heavy backpacks might be a threat to spinal development. In their survey sample, the average pack was 17% of the child's weight. 67.2% of the children studied suffered muscle soreness, 50.8% back pain, 24.5% numbness and 14.7% shoulder pain.
> National Public Radio reported that 65% of adolescents' visits to the doctor are for backpack related injuries (October 1998).
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