DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – School is just around the corner, but do you have the right backpack for your children? Choosing a backpack for your kids may not be as easy as finding the coolest one on the shelf.
“Not only the fit is important, but also the load on the backpack.”
Remember that size is important when choosing the right one.
“The width is what we’re talking about, we don’t want it to be wider than your torso so this would probably be way too big for a kindergarten or first grader,” said Erin Massey – a chiropractic doctor.
The correct way to load the backpack is with the heaviest items at the bottom. Also, be careful not to exceed a weight that may be too heavy for a child.
“Most backpacks are between 10 and 15 percent of their body weight, so the average 50-pound child weighs about five or six pounds,” said Massey.
The bottom of the backpack should never hang more than three to four inches below a child’s waist. The use of the straps can also provide more comfort when carrying the backpack.
“As for the straps, these are helpful as they are nice and wide straps that are a bit padded so they don’t dig into your shoulders and again using them will be the greatest thing to make sure the Straps stay really tight so that the pack is held against your body, ”said Massey.
Using an inappropriate backpack can cause discomfort to the child.
“It can affect your posture, it can cause back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain,” said Massey.
While this is a good rule of thumb for children, it also applies to adults.
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