Carrying school bags that are too heavy could be leading many school children to experience pain in their back.

This is according to chief executive of BackCare Sean McDougall, who stated that because kids' bones are still relatively soft as they are still growing, youngsters should ideally be carrying no more than ten per cent of their body weight over their shoulders.

However, he noted that some children, particularly girls aged around 11, could be hauling around double this limit.

"It gets even worse because in many schools, children carry that weight on one shoulder and increasingly children are carrying their bag in the crevice of their elbow," Mr McDougall added.

Therefore, he suggested it is important kids carry as little weight as possible, ensuring they use both shoulders and carry their bags close to their back when they do so.

Last year, it was stated that the average 12-year-old in Ireland carries a weight of 11.8 kg in their bags, far above the government's recommended maximum of 3.7kg.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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