Heavy backpacks can lead to injuries with children

SAN DIEGO – Rady Children’s Hospital recently issued a statement that it is felt many children are carrying backpacks that are far too heavy to carry on their back, making them more vulnerable to injury. Every year, physical therapists treat patients with serious back and neck injuries due to heavy backpacks.

A loaded backpack should be light enough for a child to walk or stand up straight without leaning forward or to the side. Backpacks should be no heavier than 10 to 20 percent of the child’s body weight. That means that if the child weighs 80 pounds, the backpack should weigh no more...