By Ogova Ondego
Published May 9, 2024

Medics in Kenya are cautioning parents and teachers to beware of the dangers of backpacks to children as they prepare to return to school on May 13, 2024.

It takes Martin, a  10-year-old Grade Three pupil, close to 30 minutes every morning to arrange all his books, games kit, arts and craft equipment, a bottle of juice and lunch box in his school bag.

That modern children are weighed down by heavy rucksacks all the time goes without saying. Standing near any school gate in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, one is likely to see breathless children enter the schools with heavy bags straining their backs.

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As this happens, little thought is given to the effect this has on the children’s growth.

Studies done in Austria show that 30 per cent of pupils in Class Six have bad posture resulting from heavy school bags. Consequently, education officials have recommended a weigh-in for pupils and their bags in an attempt to correct the bad posture. They recommend that bags should not exceed a tenth of a pupil’s body weight.

Paediatricians warn that children could have serious back problems, including curvature of the spine, if they daily carry heavy loads to school. They suggest that the weight of back packs carried by children be no more than 20 per cent of their body weight. If not, such bags should have belts for the hips, and even have padded backs.

Research findings in France show that many children between seven and 15 years report to doctors complaining of chest pain. To save children from this pain, schools have been advised to photocopy topics from textbooks for them.

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A website, wellbalancedchiro.com.sg, lists the following as some of the common health problems associated with heavy backpacks:

  • Back Pain: Carrying a heavy load on their backs can lead to back pain and discomfort in children. Over time, this can develop into chronic back problems if not addressed.
  • Poor Posture: Heavy backpacks can cause children to hunch forward or lean to one side to compensate for the weight, leading to poor posture
  • Muscle Strain: Carrying a heavy backpack can strain the muscles in the shoulders, neck, and back, causing pain and discomfort.
  • Nerve Compression: The pressure from heavy backpacks can compress nerves, leading to tingling or numbness in the arms and hands, and
  • Spinal Misalignments: The added weight can cause the spine to shift out of alignment, potentially leading to more serious issues if left uncorrected.

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Well Balanced Chiro suggests the following as some of the ways in which to prevent damage to the children’s backs:

  • Choose the Right Backpack: Opt for a backpack that is appropriately sized for your child and has padded shoulder straps and a waist belt for added support
  • Pack Light: Encourage your child to pack only what is necessary for the day and leave unnecessary items at home
  • Distribute Weight Evenly: Teach your child to wear both shoulder straps and use the waist belt to distribute the weight evenly across their body
  • Use Lockers: If available, encourage your child to use lockers at school to store books and other heavy items, reducing the load they need to carry
  • Organize the Backpack: Teach your child to place the heaviest items closest to their back to minimize strain, and
  • Encourage Physical Activity: Regular exercise, including core-strengthening exercises, can help your child build a strong musculoskeletal system that can better handle the weight of a backpack.

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Without citing any scientific data, a Nairobi paediatrician who declined to be named says the danger is real as children’s bones are soft and could be deformed.

“We don’t have to test what is obvious or has already been tested and proven in countries such as Singapore, USA, UK, France, India and Australia,” she argues.

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