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As a ninth-grader, I know firsthand the burden of carrying a heavy backpack. Mine weighs close to 20 pounds, the same weight as a large watermelon.
Upon returning to in-person classes after COVID-19 shutdowns, I noticed that the skin under my backpack straps was red and my back ached. I was overwhelmed by the number of textbooks, notebooks and supplies my teachers required me to carry. I wondered if other students’ backpacks were as heavy as mine.
I conducted a research project at Pleasanton Middle School surveying a representative group of 70 students. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that backpacks weigh no more than 15% of a student’s body weight, although some experts — and Senate Concurrent Resolution 86, passed by the California Legislature in 2014 — draw the line at 10%. The data I collected showed that, on average, students’ backpacks were 50% over the California recommended weight. It is important to consider the outliers as well, as some students were carrying backpacks heavier than 30 pounds.
To understand the health consequences of carrying a heavy backpack, I talked to Dr. Monica Benedikt, a family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Benedikt said that back pain among children is not rare. She explained that back pain can be caused by different factors, including an overly heavy backpack. Dr. Benedikt said, based on her experience and clinical research, that the backpacks children are required to carry are too heavy.
Other health professionals are in agreement. According to the American Chiropractic Association, “Back pain is pervasive among American adults, however it is not uncommon among children and teens either. In a new and disturbing trend, young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing factor.”
According to research by a team led by pediatric orthopedics expert Dr. William Mackenzie, children who experience back pain are at increased risk of suffering from it as adults, which can result in disability and significant economic consequences.
Overloaded backpacks aren’t only responsible for back injuries, they have also been found to cause neck pain, shoulder strain, headaches and a general exhaustion. Some researchers think that girls and younger kids are especially at risk for backpack-related injuries because they’re smaller and carry loads that are heavier in proportion to their body weight.
What should our educational system do about this? I have some recommendations. One solution that school districts could consider is the installation of lockers, as is done in schools across the country. My former middle school in Pleasanton, as well as several other middle schools in the East Bay, including those in the San Ramon Valley and Livermore Unified school districts, do not have lockers available for middle school students.
Another option is for teachers to allow students to use a single notebook for multiple classes and switch to online textbooks. Many schools provide students with Chromebooks, which can be heavy and contribute to the burden on students’ backs. It might be worth considering the use of lighter devices, even though they may be more expensive. While students appreciate the access to technology that the Chromebooks provide, the health benefits of lighter devices should also be taken into consideration.
It is important to raise awareness about this issue among students. Students should try to limit the weight of their backpacks to no more than 10% of their body weight or consider using rolling backpacks.
And with California public schools receiving record funding this fiscal year, I recommend allocating some of these funds toward researching the risks associated with heavy backpacks and finding ways to prevent health issues in students.
Naomi Burakovsky is a Pleasanton resident and a freshman at Amador Valley High School.
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