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Experts: Heavy Backpacks Can Cause Injury

(KDKA) Kids today are dealing with a heavier academic load in school and this is leading to another phenomenon: back packs overloaded with books and other items so heavy that they put children at risk for physical injury.

According to Consumer Reports expert Dr. Orly Avitzur, The American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends that a loaded backpack should weigh no more than 10 to 20 percent of a child's total weight.

"But Consumer Reports recommends staying closer to 10 percent," said Avitzur.

Consumer Reports testers visited three schools and weighed 56 students, first with their backpacks on, then without them to see if the backpacks were within recommended weight ranges.

While all fourth and second graders fell within the recommended range, with backpacks averaging less than 10 percent of their body weight, the sixth graders' backpacks averaged more than 17 percent of their body weight.

"Carrying around this type of weight can lead to back problems," warned Avitzur.

In addition to keeping an eye on how much your child is carrying, Consumer Reports also recommends choosing a backpack that's the right size for your child and encouraging him or her to wear it correctly.

"You want to make sure that they're wearing both shoulder straps, and the backpack is close to the body," said Consumer Reports tester Alex Willen. "When you look to purchase one, you want to make sure that they have contoured, padded shoulder straps, which soften the load of the backpack."

Finally, Consumer Reports recommends buying a backpack that's water proof to last longer, and one that has reflective trim for safety, especially during the winter when children may be going to or from school in the dark.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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