Student and overloaded backpacks are a recipe for major aches and pains. Todays students are carrying increasingly heavy back packs and the result is back pain, neck pain and more. Kids bodies are not meant to carry heavy loads. Books, lunches, and school gear can easily top the 15% of body weight maximum your child should carry. Try and lighten the load, do not take unnecessary items and make sure to load the heaviest items close to your child’s back. Watch for signs your child’s backpack it too heavy (aches & pains, red marks from straps) and take some of the weight out of the backpack. Its your child’s health at stake, help them manage their load and learn to carry less for the benefit of their body.

Read more: Overloaded backpacks can do serious harm to kids – Chicago Sun-Times