School backpacks double the recommended weight: 200 children a month suffer the consequences | Statement | Children | Teenagers | School children Schools | Health | Peru

“My suitcase weighs like stones.” This is one of the most used phrases by school students when they feel a heavy weight on their shoulders and back due to the books and notebooks they carry. But, without any exaggeration, this factor should be taken seriously.

If a minor carries too much weight in his bag during school, Your spine may suffer irreversible damage.

Dr. Harold CastilloEsSalud's emergency activist explained Trade than the weight of a bag It should not exceed 10% of a child or adolescent's body weight. So, if the weight of the student is 50 kg, the weight of the backpack should not exceed 5 kg.

Based on this revealing data, this newspaper visited 5 schools and a Experiment: Weigh school backpacks with a manual scale Check if they exceed the limit. The results were shocking.

Test in detail

The case was traced to a fifth-year high school student at the Salesiano di Brena school. Every Friday the suitcase he carried was weighed on the scales 11.2 kg. “Today I have English, Communication, Maths and Civics. They ask me for book and notebook for every subject. My weight is 62 kg” said the student.

As if that wasn't enough, Miner carried a sports suitcase, because he trains three times a week, which weighs 3.5 kg. As a result, his shoulders and back bear every Friday Cases 15 kg.

At Nuestra Señora de la Visitación Public School in Cercato de Lima, a third-grader has a half-sized backpack. Over 8 kg every Thursday. On the same day, the second-year high school student's suitcase was weighed Cases 7 kg.

This institution is one of the four Peru's 'Bicentennial Schools'A plan by the Ministry of Education to build educational institutions with innovative, inclusive and sustainable infrastructure. However, his students say they cannot use the lockers. “They have been there since last year but they haven't explained to us why they still can't put our stuff there” declared one student.

Another sixth grader from El Buen Pastor de Los Olivos School Load 6.6 kg every Monday. “My son climbs the stairs to his classroom with this weight on his back. He weighs 41 kg. The school should check how much weight is in the material they are asking so that the students are not affectedsaid his father.

What are the serious consequences of carrying a heavy suitcase?

Karen AmiyaInformation from the Head of the Department of Amputees, Burns and Postural Disorders, National Institute of Rehabilitation (INR). Trade That said, the establishment helps 200 monthly cases of children and adolescents with poor posture. “Last year, we provided intensive care to 1,963 school children”, he revealed.

Castillo, for his part, cited misuse of backpacks and carrying too much weight in them. Muscle contractions Throughout the thoracic region of the body: shoulders, neck and back. “Also common spinePain in the center of the back, and Hip PainIt creates pain in the pelvic region, between the ribs and the buttocksHe explained.

“60% of students who do not carry their suitcases properly suffer from back problems” he added.

Meanwhile, Amaya explained that some spinal disorders are irreversible. “If this continues until the spine matures between the ages of 17 and 18, you may suffer from hyperkyphosis and scoliosis. These spinal deviations They may be irreversible”, he explained.

Castillo added A child's growth expectancy may be reduced by 1 to 2 centimeters If you carry too much weight during your school years.

Recommendations for schools and students

Juan Cadillo, a former education minister, suggested that school education directors organize schedules taking into account the weight students carry each day. “The managers of the companies should distribute the schedule Don't cram different subjects with heavy material into one day“, he pointed out.

On the other hand, he highlighted the importance of providing schools lockers For each student. Also, students were recommended to use educational tablets instead of books to reduce the need to carry these heavy items.

He Dr. Luis ZagalThe traumatologist-orthopedic doctor said about the correct use of backpacks: “They should never be carried on one shoulder. The suitcase should be 5 centimeters below the shoulder and positioned above the waist. Some backpacks have a waist belt, which reduces the weight on the shoulders and back“, he said.

Castillo, on the other hand, suggested that suitcase straps should have padding. Additionally, he mentioned using backpacks with wheels. “Pulling these backpacks can cause wrist and shoulder injuries for children. Therefore, the correct way to carry them is to push them forward.“, he said.