Addressing Musculoskeletal Pain Associated With School Bag Weight in Schoolchildren

Musculoskeletal disorders among pre-teen and adolescent students have been consistently documented in the literature, with numerous studies associating their prevalence with the use of excessively heavy or improperly designed school backpacks. School nurses regularly interact with students in these age groups and are therefore in a unique position to identify students at risk for musculoskeletal problems related to carrying heavy backpacks. They can provide vital education to students, staff, parents, and the community about the risks associated with excessive backpack weight and its impact on musculoskeletal health. The purpose of this article is to briefly discuss risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders linked to backpack weight and to offer recommendations for interventions school nurses can implement, including collaboration with other school and community leaders, to help prevent musculoskeletal pain and injury in pre-teen and adolescent students.