Kids carry a ‘bagful’ of burden

Even as a nationwide study revealed that a majority of schoolchildren face backache and postural problems owing to excessively heavy school bags; a recent study conducted by Pune-based Spinalogy Clinic also gave similar results.

According to the study carried out among children aged between 6 and 16 years, 60% children have complained about back or joint pain during their last one year of school.

The study was carried out in the last academic year in two prominent city schools, besides evaluating students who attended the clinic for various spine related problems.

Heavy bags was reported to be a major cause for concern, especially among children in lower classes, i.e. among students of standards II to IV, as the bags weighed more than 40% of the body weight of the children.

“Our school audit found that besides heavy bags, many other reasons were responsible for backache among children. Faulty furniture at schools that are made for children of average height and built may not suit all. Children who are shorter or taller find adjusting difficult as school seats are not modifiable as per their need. We saw that this led to abnormal biomechanics in spine. Many children, hence, complained of pain,” said Dr Kiran Shete, founder and medical director, Spinalogy Clinic.

The audit also found that lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits such as eating junk food in tiffin and snacks are leading to weak muscles and bones. Besides, Vitamin D and calcium deficiency in children is leading to back pain.

“An important aspect that we noticed was that children have to travel longer distances to schools. The vehicles that they are ferried in such as autorickshaws are poorly maintained and ply on bad roads. This leads to more assault on their already compromised spines,” said Shete.

Orthopaedic doctor and spine expert Dr Amol Rege agreed that commuting via improper transport and faulty design of benches have greater impact on the tender spine of kids. “Nutritional deficiencies and lack of exercise in children make their bones weaker. Also, squeezing in small spaces like autorickshaws  causes further damage,” said Rege.