Abstract:
Background: Heavy backpacks can cause back-pain and postural defects in children. Over the
years, the weight of school backpack and the number of children getting treated with spinal
braces for scoliosis have increased. Scientific research shows that maximum weight of
backpack should be between 10-15% of child’s body weight.
Objectives: To evaluate the quality and the percent weight of the backpack per child’s weight
in age groups from 9-14 years in four selected schools in Galle district and to investigate
solutions to reduce the weight of school backpack
Methods: The study sample comprised of 693 school children from grades 4-9. Weight of
child and weight of backpack were accessed over a week. Quality of backpacks was assessed
using a data collection tool. The quality of the backpack was evaluated with pre-defined
criteria namely, type of backpack, width of the shoulder strap, abdominal strap availability and
empty backpack weight. Forty school teachers were interviewed and ideas were collected on
how to reduce weight of school backpack.
Results: The study shows that approximately 60% of backpacks weighed more than 15% of
child’s body weight, 29% of backpacks were within 10-15% weight range and only 11%
weighed less than 10% of child’s body weight. Mean (±SD) backpack to body weight
percentage was 17.41 (±6.94) of the body weight. The highest weight percentage (21 ±3.50)
was observed in students attending grade four. Assessment of backpack quality showed that
44% of backpacks were not in good quality. Feedback from teachers to reduce backpack
weight includes; converting single periods to double periods, advising children to use an extra
bag, encouraging the children to wear the backpack properly.
Conclusions: Use of over-weighted and poor-quality backpacks were common among school
children. Feasible solutions to reduce backpack weight were identified. Therefore, necessary
precautions should be taken to reduce backpack weight of school children.
