School Book Bags

How to prevent student back problems

Have you ever thought about the weight your children are carrying in their school book bags? Students of all ages are getting more and more homework these days, and have to carry extra books as a result. Alarmingly, the excess weight in students’ school book bags is starting to cause back problems for many of them. The problems are caused, however, not so much because of the extra weight, but because their school book bags are the wrong size or shape or not worn properly. 

The most familiar type of school book bag is of course the backpack. It’s a good design for carrying heavy loads as it distributes weight evenly over the student’s back; however, you should ensure that it has a hip belt. Hip belts help to take some of the strain away from the shoulders and centre some of it around the waist instead, which is far better for the back. You do need to make sure that the hip belt is properly adjusted and fastened for maximum effectiveness. All good quality school book bags should have an adjustable hip belt; avoid the ones that don’t. They may be cheaper, but cause damage in the long term.

Although backpacks are a great way to carry books, they can be inconvenient. You can’t get quick access to them. A different option is to use shoulder book bags which have one strap, a roomy bag and a large opening. It’s best to wear these messenger-style shoulder book bags across the body, rather than hanging from only one shoulder. They won’t be quite as effective as backpacks for avoiding back strain, but they're a good alternative for a student who needs to get things in and out of a school book bag easily.

Whatever type you decide to buy, make sure your children know how to wear their school book bags properly. It’s worth it.