These days it seems like kids are getting more homework than ever. Now a new study finds, lugging all those books around may be bad for your back. Janet Choi has more.
10 year old Ethan Gibel suffers from back pain ....
His mother blames his heavy backpack.
He had a slight curvature probably because he carried his backpack on one side a lot.
Thousands of kids show up at the emergency room every year with backpack - related injuries . Now, a new study provides evidence: heavy backpacks really do strain children's spines.
The pictures from MRIs tell the story. Kids who carried heavier loads showed more spine curvature.
And doctors warn... if your kids are complaining of back pain now, chances are they'll have more trouble when they get older.
To try and avoid too much strain...
-- Make sure your child uses both straps on the backpack.
-- Wider straps can help distribute the load.
-- And, a backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 15 percent of the student's body weight.
Ethan has his own cure....
But, he's probably going to have to find another way to lighten his load.
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