Is your child carrying too heavier load during the school week? Scientists reporting in the journal of spine said that heavy backpacks can lead to back pain and other back issues in children.

Previous research has shown that most American school kids carry backpacks containing the equivalent to 20-30% of their body weight.

In a new study, 8 children who are 11 years old stood strait in front of the  MRI scanner while wearing backpacks containing different loads equal to 10-30% of their body weight. As the weight went up the discs in the children lower backs compressed more, and these disc offer cushioning to the bones in the spine. Also, when more weight put on their backs, the children’s lower spines deviated from their normal position and reported more back pain.

The American academy of pediatrics recommends:

• Choosing a bag pack that is wide padded shoulder straps and
• A padded back
• Organizing the content so the heavier items are toward the center of the back.
• Use both straps over both shoulders.