A lot of kids don't suffer it immediately, but over the long run they might. The risk of spinal damage became such a concern two years ago in Bangkok, Thailand, that the education ministry imposed weight limits on bookbags. The ministry found that almost half of primary school pupils were found to be carrying bags weighing more than 6 pounds. There are no such weight limits at Centennial Place Elementary School in Atlanta, where many of the youngsters rely on wheels to transport all the textbooks and school supplies needed to get through the day. Many pediatricians say the main problem is not the weight of the bookbags, but how the children carry them.
Some youngsters wear backpacks too low on their backs or sling only one strap across a shoulder.
Physicians recommend both straps should be worn so that the backpack is close to the body and its weight is distributed evenly across the back and shoulders. Reasons for the growing trend of overpacked sacks range from mere fashion to tougher academic regimens. And in some schools, the pupils don't have lockers or don't have time between classes to get to lockers. In addition to getting a lot of homework, many children head to after-school programs and need their books to study and a pair of extra clothes to play in, said Centennial principal Cynthia Kuhlman. The bags are getting bigger everywhere.