Whether they are backpacks or in the form of satchels, the bags of the children of the hexagon are too heavy. In any case, this is the opinion of the FCPE (Federation of Parents’ Councils), which has been sounding the alarm to the public authorities and the population for many years now. Thus, according to a study conducted by the federation itself in 2013, the average load carried by children was 8.5 kg, when health professionals claim thatit should not exceed 10% of the child’s weight. The balance sheet today, still according to the FCPE (which is calling for a law on the subject)? School bags exceed this limit by more than 7%.
Physiotherapist Jérôme Auger is formal: before even asking the question of the type of bag to be preferred, it is urgent to solve this problem of weight: “To my knowledge, there is no physiological study on the subject, but that cannot be good. A child is not a reduced model adult. It is an organism that grows, with fragile areas , weaker muscles and growth plates. If we conducted this study, the numbers would be alarming.”
The way of the wheels
But then what to do, even though the start of the school year has already passed and the weights do not seem to be decreasing, to relieve the children of France as much as possible? For Stéphane Fabri, “The schoolbag is not that bad. We build our body diagram in relation to gravity. And when it increases because of a load, we manage to optimize the development of postural muscles, which is not not so bad.”
The problem ? “The more pressure you put on the bone, the more delicate it is on the growth side. Even if at night, nothing blocks it. And above all, the weight must be balanced, which is not always the case. Especially when worn on one shoulder. It really is a habit to avoid.”
Jérome Auger is more skeptical: “Backpack, satchel, backpack, whatever. Even a hiking bag with fasteners at the hips, would pose the same problem, since the constraint, in mechanical terms, remains the same. And everything that is below the bag , namely the knees and other discs, will have to carry the loads.
The only bag that finds favor in the eyes of the two experts? The wheeled briefcase. That one pulls and that one does not carry, therefore, when the paths which lead to the school are passable and allow it (“not to mention the stairs”, adds Stéphane Fabri): “It’s the best !” concedes Jérôme Auger. “But again, the idea is to get rid of these excessive weights, even if I don’t have a miracle solution. Photocopies pose an ecological concern, while we also try to protect children from screens…” In short, it’s a safe bet, therefore, that the problem will still be relevant next September.
Some tips to lighten the weight
- Choose a bag that is not too big, because the bigger it is, the more the child will fill it
- Limit school supplies to what is strictly necessary
- Instead, opt for thin and flexible binders, which are therefore lighter
- Explain to the child how to store the contents of the schoolbag: the heaviest books should be stored as close as possible to the back, so this will avoid making a weight scale that could pull him back on his shoulders
- Adjust the straps properly to prevent the child from wearing their bag too low
- Explain to the child how to lift his bag: while keeping his back straight, take the bag that is on the ground by bending his knees and going down towards the ground, then go back up gently, keeping his back straight.
