How Heavy Schoolbags and Backpacks Ruin Your Child’s Health and Posture and What You Can Do About It

Is your tiny little star carrying an enormous, overstuffed backpack? It may look cute but if your child is reeling under the burden of that heavy school bag, it is a matter of grave concern. Heavier school bags can have adverse effects on your child’s health if they are used for a prolonged period and the impact may well be irreversible. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health listed out a few of the side effects.

Deformed Posture

Lethargy, deformed posture and stiffness of leg are some of the common side effects of a carrying a heavy school bag. To carry the heavy bag the child has to lean forward which causes a developing bad posture.

Tilting Of  Spine

Carrying school bag on one shoulder cam lead to uneven strain on the back, shoulder muscles, spine and the disc. It puts extra pressure on one side tilting the spine. Keeping the bag down and carrying it again can be more dangerous for a growing spine. Expert reveals 10 signs your kid may be suffering from health problems and how to deal with it. 

Chronic Back Pain

Your child may also suffer from chronic back pain. The spine is a stack of bones with the bones separated by cartilage called the intervertebral disk. The excess weight puts undue stress on the muscles, ligaments and disk thus damaging them. In fact, younger children whose spine is at a crucial stage of growth are more susceptible to hazards such as shoulder pain, back pain and muscle pain. Car seats for kids may cause harm to their health as it contains toxic flame retardants.

Disrupted Growth of Musculoskeletal System

Any negligence can also result in the disrupted growth of the musculoskeletal system of your child. In extreme cases, it can also lead to the disruption of the spinal cord or shoulders that can plausibly be attributed to hefty school bags.

Tips to Use a Bag Pack Correctly

• Keep the load as light as you can. Using two sets of books – one for home and the other for school – may allay some weight issues.
• Both the shoulder straps should be tightened symmetrically instead of one being taut and the other loose.
• Make sure that you position the bag well. The straps should fit the shoulders snugly so that it hugs the bag and not sag too low.
• When buying a bag, buy a sturdy, well-designed bag with wide, padded shoulder straps that reduce pressure on the neck and shoulder area. Buy a bag with adjustable straps which can be altered as the child grows.

So make these simple bag pack changes before it’s too late to ensure that your child is in the best of his health and ability.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 04, 2019 08:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).