Abstract
Most children and teens carry backpacks that weigh more than 10% or 15% of their body weight, putting their safety and health at risk. The present study was conducted to examine backpack usage factors that may influence the risk of carrying a heavy backpack: effects of carrying school bags on one shoulder or two, and relationship between body-mass index (BMI) and reports of pain resulting from carrying heavy school bags. In addition, usage of shoulder bags was examined. 223 male and female students, aged 12–17, from a combined junior high and high school participated. Results showed that carrying a backpack on both shoulders resulted in fewer reports of pain and discomfort only when the backpack exceeded 15% body weight; younger students carried proportionately heavier backpacks than older students and reported more pain as a result of carrying a heavy backpack; and carrying shoulder bags resulted in more reports of pain, even though they did not exceed 15% of body weight. While students with low BMI reported less pain from carrying a backpack than students with high BMI, the difference was not statistically different. Results are discussed in terms of potential interventions and future research directions.
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