School bags burden young shoulders

ISLAMABAD:

Parents have expressed serious concern over the burden of heavy school bags on young children, saying the daily weight is affecting their health, comfort and ability to concentrate in class.

Every morning outside schools, parents can be seen helping young children carry bags that appear disproportionately large for their small frames. According to parents, the bags are often overloaded with textbooks, notebooks, water bottles and lunch boxes, making them difficult for children to carry.

Orthopaedic doctor Dr Bilal of Rawalpindi says many young patients are reporting shoulder and back pain linked to heavy school bags.

"We are seeing many young patients complaining of shoulder and back pain due to heavy school bags," he said, adding that excessive weight could affect spinal development, cause muscle strain and lead to poor posture if left unaddressed.

He said a child's school bag should weigh no more than 10 to 15% of their body weight. Carrying excessive weight, he added, could place additional pressure on the spine and shoulders, causing fatigue, headaches and difficulty walking properly.

Dr Bilal said children were still developing physically and prolonged pressure from heavy bags could cause tiredness throughout the day, potentially affecting their concentration and learning

Atiqa, the mother of a seven-year-old Class 2 student, said her daughter's bag is so heavy that she could not lift it properly. "I have to carry it to the school van daily, and in the evening she complains of pain in her shoulders," she said.

She said her daughter leave for school happily but return exhausted and often avoid homework because of fatigue.