It’s Time to Weigh in on How Our Backpacks Affect Our Spines
Let’s face it: it is difficult being a student. Kids have to carry their homework from class to class, from home to school and from school to home. All while carrying heavy textbooks on their back.
According to a survey taken across the U.S., the average middle-schooler has a backpack weight of 18.4 pounds. In a survey of the Birdwatch staff, students’ backpacks were weighed. The lightest backpack weighed exactly seven pounds, while the heaviest backpack weighed 17.8 pounds. The class average was 12.9 pounds.
It goes without saying that most kids typically have a lower pain tolerance than adults. But age is not the only factor that affects pain. Women also tend to have a lower pain tolerance than men and are more susceptible to back pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, “…overall females have higher prevalence of low back pain.” Back pain can begin when you are young, making children vulnerable to health issues, such as scoliosis.
In order to avoid back problems later in life (or early on), we need to address what is most affecting the backs of young generations: the heavy backpacks we carry. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your backpack should weigh no more than 10%-20% of your body weight. This is because the heavy weight of backpacks can pull your shoulders back or push them forward, putting too much strain on them. To compensate for the lack of balance, you will either push your hips forward or arch your back, causing your spine to unnaturally compress. Dr. Cynthia Burkhardt, D.C., a licensed chiropractor, states that heavy backpacks can “be very fatiguing on your back muscles and it encourages poor posture.”
In terms of lightening the load on your shoulders, there is one solution that seems the most obvious: lockers. Lockers are provided for keeping all the books and supplies that you don’t need off your back. Birdwatch staffer Caroline Kerns had the lightest backpack of all, weighing seven pounds. She stated, “Every period or few periods I change out my books and materials for the next class.”
Matthew Lim, on the other hand, had the heaviest backpack, weighing in at 17.8 pounds. He stated that in his backpack he has about 2 books, 4 notebooks, a couple math and language arts journals, his journalism binder, along with notes and books from other subjects.
So next time you find yourself carrying lots of unneeded books and supplies, perhaps it’s smart to unload them into your locker and take some weight off your shoulders.
Mona Taylor is currently a dog-obsessed eighth grader at McAuliffe Middle School. Her favorite hobbies include volleyball, skateboarding, hanging out with...
Zoe Rigdon-Perez • Feb 10, 2020 at 6:39 pm
This is a extremely important and creative article to write not only for students to hear but also teacher and administrators.
Mateo Pellegrino • Feb 6, 2020 at 10:06 am
Great Article
Zachary Leka • Jan 29, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Great article I’m thankful that my backpack isn’t that heavy
Kennedy Aase • Jan 24, 2020 at 10:55 am
This has changed my mind. I will now go to my locker more often to help reduce the weight.
Linda Liao • Jan 21, 2020 at 12:51 pm
Good advice on how to keep healthy!
Peyton • Jan 21, 2020 at 12:46 pm
I thought this article was very clever, I bet nobody even thought of backpack weight! Great job Mona!
Kassia Perdomo • Jan 21, 2020 at 10:13 am
this articular is very interesting so now I am going to put more stuff in my locker
Sophia • Jan 21, 2020 at 10:13 am
Great Article Mona!
Ayonni Burrough • Jan 21, 2020 at 10:12 am
Mostly I think the reason why people backpacks hurt is because, they are taking too much things around that they do not need at that time.
Adriana Medina • Jan 21, 2020 at 10:12 am
No wonder am so small because i had a heavy backpack throughout grade school:)
Bryan White • Jan 21, 2020 at 10:10 am
Wow i never knew backpacks were that heavy.
Kira Love • Jan 16, 2020 at 1:09 pm
My father and I decided to weigh my backpack, it was about 15 pounds, he over reacted and told my mom. Then when hanukkah came around I got a new backpack! It was a rolling backpack as well! My only concern is that when putting my backpack in m locker it takes about 4 minuites to get my backpack in.
sarah • Jan 15, 2020 at 12:10 pm
This artical was very interesting
Sara B • Jan 14, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Great article! My back really hurt while I read the article, I think people need to learn more about this!
Bella Kim • Jan 14, 2020 at 2:51 pm
I had no idea that a heavy backpack could put so much unnatural strain on your back. This is a great well-written and informative article!
Jackson Medel • Jan 14, 2020 at 10:11 am
Sometimes, my backpack feels like it full of bricks, forcing me to raise the straps… A LOT!
Rosie • Jan 14, 2020 at 10:02 am
I personally have feet problems and back problems from early on in my life so when I carry my backpack It mostly affects my feet and not my back also great article Mona Taylor!
Kyrsten Waltrip • Jan 14, 2020 at 10:01 am
Thank you Mona. I have been having serious back pains due to how heavy my backpack is.
Gavin O. • Jan 11, 2020 at 5:22 pm
Wow! Those are really heavy backpacks
Joseph E • Jan 10, 2020 at 6:11 pm
I think people should try to make their backpacks under 15 pounds.
Jasmine Lee • Jan 10, 2020 at 5:34 pm
Wow, great article Mona! This is very well written and interesting