School is back in session and the backpacks are in full force! Remember that the 3rd Wednesday in September of each year is designated Backpack Awareness Day so this year it falls on September 21, 2016. Overweight backpacks remain a significant issue with school age students. The recommendations from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) state that a backpack should weigh no more than 10% of the child’s total body weight. Thus a 100 lb. student should not carry a backpack weighing more than 10lbs. Yet studies show that over half of school aged children carry a backpack that is heavier than these recommended guidelines. This annual backpack day is designed to educate parents, teachers and administrators on the weight recommendations along with tips for fitting and managing a pack correctly.
Check out Sammy Squirrel and his Screaming Shoulders to learn more:
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