Pediatrics physiotherapist offers back-to-school shopping advice

By

A Calgary pediatrics physiotherapist has some advice for parents who are headed to a store in the next week or two to buy a new backpack for their child.

Earlier this week, Julia Brooks was a special guest on Breakfast Television on CITY.

Brooks says a good rule to follow when trying to figure out how much weight your child should carry on his or her back is to not exceed 10 to 15 per cent of the child’s body weight.

In other words if your child is 100 lbs, they shouldn’t carry more than 10 to 15 lbs on their backs.

She also recommends parents put function ahead of fashion, meaning backpacks should have padded shoulder straps and, when possible, chest and waist straps as well.

According to Brooks, every year at the Alberta Children’s Hospital “a number of children” are treated for neck, shoulder and back pain, as well as headaches. These symptoms are often caused by the children carrying too much weight on their backs.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today