Influences of backpack weight on elementary school students: a literature review

Abstract

This article presents a bibliographical review about the excessive weight of schoolchildren's backpacks and its potential harm to their health. Several reviewed studies consider that the proper backpack load is up to 10% of body mass, being acceptable between 10 and 15%, however, with the potential to cause some damage. The backpack load overloads the spine causing postural changes, pain, dysfunction, and metabolic changes observed at the studied time when it is over 15% of the body weight. It is assumed that there is the future harm with the use of backpacks with loads up to 15% of the body mass. We also observed that re-education involving the correct way to use the backpack with a load reduction is of great value as an initiative to prevent harm, being the simplest and most effective action. Therefore, we identify the need for studies with a focus on the development of possible lesions and improved preventive and treatment approaches.