Back to School 101: Backpack Weight

Last year, Consumer Reports sent a survey team to several schools to find out how much weight kids were lifting … in their backpacks.  Parents were shocked to learn that of the students surveyed, the average weight hauled by second-graders was 5.3 pounds, fourth-graders carried 4.6 pounds and sixth-graders averaged 18.4 pounds.

To help alleviate some of the back pain and stress, Consumer Reports suggest that parents should keep the following factors in mind:

1. Check for good stitching that can hold a decent amount of weight.
2. Shoulder straps anchors should be about 1- to 2- inches below the top of the shoulder.
3. The bottom of the backpack should go along the curve of the lower back and the backpack itself should not fall more than 4 inches below the waist.