Monday 21 April 2008

Don't weigh me down - Features

Don't weigh me down - Features

THE FACTS


40LB (18KG) is the weight that the British Chiropractic Association calculates is carried by many secondary school children. This is the equivalent of a grown man carrying a microwave full of food on his back!



15% is the maximum recommended average percentage of a child’s body weight to be carried in his or her school back pack



13% of 10-16 year olds suffer recurring back pain. Even worse 8-10% (that is 2-3 children in every class) suffers from chronic back pain sufficiently bad to compromise sport, attendance, self-esteem, relationships and ultimately, their future quality of life*



There is no specific health and safety legislation limiting the weight that children in school can carry. There is however health and safety legislation protecting adults in the workplace.



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Sunday 20 April 2008

Protecting Young Backs

Research shows that up to 30% of teenagers are affected by back pain, close to the adult level. In 8% of students(two to three in a class) the condition is severe enough to affect school attendance, concentration, ability to play sport, relashionships and well being. There is evidence to show that adolesecent back problems persist into adult life.

Many children have no access to a locker at school and may be carrying more than 30% of their body weight in school bags. Health and safety legislation protects adults in their place of work, specifiying for example what kind of seats they sit on, how much weight they are allowed to carry, etc. No such laws protect children in school, their place of work. Much school furniture would be deemed illlegal in an office