Carrying Heavy Weighted School Bags Can Cause Serious Spinal Deformities: Expert Warned

Medical experts on Friday warned Parents and students against the trend of carrying the backpack on one shoulder as it can cause muscular sprain, back pain and scoliosis for school going innocent kids.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Sep, 2018 ) :Medical experts on Friday warned Parents and students against the trend of carrying the backpack on one shoulder as it can cause muscular sprain, back pain and scoliosis for school going innocent kids.

Physiotherapist , child expert Dr Komal Rizwan in interview with private news channel said, children lose interest in coming to school with the stress of carrying heavy bags. Their mind is burdened with the weight of the books and this leads to low attention span.' Expert said overloaded school bags, which can weigh up to a quarter of a child's weight, are leaving youngsters at risk of back pain and poor posture.

"Presently, most of the students of government and private schools carry bags weighing much more than what they ideally should be carrying according to the guidelines," lamented medical expert.

Dr also points out that keeping the bag down and then carrying it again is more dangerous for a growing spine than continuously walking with static weight.

However, she stressed the need to ensure the child follows basic guidelines to avoid physical strain from their school bag.

Dr added that there is an urgent need to have specialized physical activity plans for school children within and outside of schools, wherein children below the age of 16 years are made to participate in regular physical activities like running, sports, swimming and cycling "For Primary school students they should be taught how to use the device correctly and they need to be monitored.

Excessive use can lead to other health issues like eye strain." To reduce the current weight burden, he recommended students use bags, which are designed to distribute weight evenly, and to make use of the facilities in school by leaving books on campus instead of taking them home.

She explained , lack of parental supervision and awareness are among the reasons why school bags in country continue to weigh more than the prescribed limit.

Sometime children carry fancy bags, which are heavy. "These bags have many pockets, extra cushioning, and heavy buckles. Often the empty bag is heavier than the books," she said.

'Children's skeletons are still developing, and having a heavy bag slung over one shoulder can exert unnatural force on the spine, muscles and attachments,' says Dr.

while sharing some effective tips she said, school authorities should make it mandatory for students to carry light bags.

there should be lockers where students can keep their books and other things which are only needed in the classroom.

Schools can allow students to carry one big notebook with sections for all subjects instead of different ones for various subjects, she highlighted.

Injurious effects of heavy school bags appear more on children aged 2-11 years as it is a rapid growth time, said, adding, the load casts ill effects on bones, spine, muscles and joints".

She also suggested students to finish supplementary exercises at school, so that they would not need to bring extra bookshome.