Guide to Choosing the Right Kids Backpack and Avoiding Back Injuries

 Backpacks that are too heavy, are the wrong size or that are worn improperly can damage kid's backs

Image: Public Domain: Backpacks that are too heavy, are the wrong size or that are worn improperly can damage kid's backs

Improper choice of a poorly-designed and fitted school backpacks, overloading and improper strap tightening and misuse issues can risk back pain, discomfort and permanent injury for children and teenagers. Backpacks are often severely overloaded with kids carrying up to 22% of their body weight. Many children wear their backpacks for 30-60 minutes every day and the common habit of slinging the backpack over only one shoulder can cause permanent damage to the spine. This article outlines how to measure your child so that you can choose a backpack suited to their dimensions. It also summarizes the advice on how to fit and wear backpacks and maximum recommended loads to minimize injuries and back pain.

Can Backpacks Cause Pain, Injuries and Permanent Damage to Children?

Research has shown that in incidence of back pain in children is getting worse and this is correlated with increases in average backpack loads. A study conducted in 2011 study showed that the incidence of back pain for children of various ages were:

Are Children Carrying Too Much Weight in their Backpacks?

A study of 1,400 Spanish students aged 12 to 17, conducted in 2012 highlighted the heavy loads being carried by most school kids

More than 9,500 patients treated in hospitals and by doctors for backpack-related injuries 2012 were school aged children (5-18 years old). This was 40% of the 24,000 people treated for these injuries.

Are Children Not Wearing Their Backpacks Properly?

Most back pain seems to occur when backpack shoulder and waist or hip straps are not tightened properly so that the weight of the backpack tends to pull the children's shoulders and upper body backwards. This means that they have to fight against this pulling action. Often children can be seen leaning forward or arching their backs to balance their packs which are acting as outriggers pulling them backward. When a backpack is properly fitted and the straps are tightened, the weight of the bag is borne vertically. Sudden movements when the child is walking or going up of down steps can cause jerking and twisting motions that can damage backs. The more the backpack is positioned away from the bag the more the pivoting effect of the backpack is accentuated. Wearing backpacks over only one shoulder does the same thing and causes twisting and strain on the back and spine.

How to Choose the Right backpack for Your Child?

Parents should buy a backpack that's an appropriate size for the child. See the measurement guide and how averages sizes vary with age. Parents should tell their kids to let them know anytime the child feels tingling or numbness in the arms or legs, which may be an early warning sign that the pack is too heavy or is not being worn properly.

Key Measurements for Fitting Backpacks

Image: Public Domain: Key Measurements for Fitting Backpacks

Average Measurements for Children of Various Ages

Age

Height(in)

Width(in)

Height(cm)

Width(cm)

4

11.0

6.0

23.3

12.7

5

12.0

10.6

25.4

22.4

6

12.5

12.7

26.5

26.9

7

13.0

14.8

27.5

31.4

8

14.0

16.9

29.6

35.8

9

14.5

19.1

30.7

40.3

10

15.0

21.2

31.8

44.8

11

15.5

23.3

32.8

49.3

12

15.5

25.4

32.8

53.8

13

15.5

27.5

32.8

58.2

14

17.0

29.6

36.0

62.7

15

17.5

31.8

37.0

67.2

16

18.0

33.9

38.1

71.7

17

19.0

36.0

40.2

76.2

18

19.0

38.1

40.2

80.6

Tips for Choosing and Backpack and Wearing it Properly

Correct Fitting on the Back

Backpack Too Low on the Back

Image: Public Domain: Backpack Too Low on the Back

Backpack Correctly Positioned on the Back

Image: Public Domain: Backpack Correctly Positioned on the Back

Slinging the backpack over only one shoulder is an injury risk

Image: Public Domain: Slinging the backpack over only one shoulder is an injury risk