School is right around the corner and my primary concern as a father and as a chiropractor is the weight of my child's backpack. Carrying too much weight in a backpack can have a negative effect on a growing spine. Therefore, I strongly recommend limiting the weight a child carries in his/her backpack to 10-15% of the child's body weight.

Try this experiment: pack your child's backpack with all of his/her school supplies and put it on a scale. How close does it come to the recommended 10-15% of your child's body weight? Now, realize that this doesn't even count the heaviest items kids put in their backpacks: books. So you can see how quickly the weight of backpacks increases as necessary school supplies are added.

A quick check you can do is to observe your child from the side. If your child is bending forward to bear the weight of the backpack, your child is carrying too much weight.

The ideal solution would be to have two copies of your child's textbooks — one for home and one for school — eliminating the need to lug them to and from school. However, school budgets don't make this solution very realistic. However, one thing grade schools can do is take a lesson from colleges by putting the required material online giving students the ability to access class material over the Internet.

My second concern is that my son's classmates often aren't using their backpacks correctly. When I was in grade school, it was "uncool" to use both straps on a backpack. But now I know using both straps is essential to protect small frames by distributing the heavy load evenly. Using only one strap increases your child's chances of developing scoliosis, especially if he/she consistently carries the backpack on the same side. The risks are even greater for a child genetically predisposed to developing scoliosis. Speaking of, have you had your spine checked recently?

It's not only important to use both straps on a backpack, but it is also important to make sure those straps are relatively snug. The closer the weight is carried to your child's body, the less impact the weight has on his/her center of gravity, making shouldering the load easier on your child's muscles and joints. Opting for a backpack with a waist strap can redistribute 50-70% of the weight off your child's shoulders.

Finally, make sure your child's backpack is the appropriate size. The bottom of the backpack should sag no lower than 4 inches below the belt line when fully loaded.

It's up to you to monitor the weight of your child's backpack. Following the guidelines above will help reduce the poor posture and spinal wear and tear we commonly see in young children. Remember: as the twig is bent, so grows the tree. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below or contact me directly.