Parents are being urged to weigh their children's school bags as experts warn many exceed the recommended limit, risking long-term musculoskeletal issues. According to the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), a backpack should weigh no more than 10% of a child's body weight.
Chiropractor Dean Blackstock, a BCA member, said many children carry far heavier loads. “Proper loading is vital for protecting spinal health, growth and development,” he explained. “Carrying too much can put additional strain on growing spines, muscles and joints, leading to poor posture, discomfort and long-term issues.”
The start of the school year is an ideal time to check bag weight. For a four-year-old starting primary school, the safe maximum is around 1.6kg for girls and 1.7kg for boys. By age 16, girls should carry no more than 5.6kg, while boys can carry up to 6kg, though individual calculations based on the child’s weight are recommended.
Blackstock advised packing heavier items at the top of the bag to prevent shoulders being pulled backward, and always wearing the bag on both shoulders with adjusted straps. “A few small adjustments can make a big difference to long-term musculoskeletal health,” he said.
