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| Research article summary (published 30 Mar 2003): |
Percentage of body weight carried by students in their school backpacks.
Full Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the percentage of body weight represented by backpacks and the types of backpacks carried by elementary school students.
DESIGN:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in three elementary schools in central Texas. All students in kindergarten through fifth grade were invited to participate. A letter, with no direct mention of backpack weighing, was sent to each parent for written consent. Student weights and heights and their backpack weights were measured by trained research assistants.
RESULTS:
The mean backpack weights, which increased significantly with increasing grade level, varied significantly by school, backpack type, day of week, body mass index, and race/ethnicity. The backpack loads represented an average of 8.2% (95% confidence interval, 7.8-8.5) of student body weights but increased significantly with increasing grade level, from 6.2% among kindergarteners to 12.0% among fifth graders. Twenty-six percent of students carried backpacks that weighed at least 10% of their body weights. A total of 25 students (3.5%) had backpacks with wheels. Wheeled backpack users were significantly older and more likely to be girls or from school B. Concern about weight was the most popular reason cited for using a wheeled backpack.
CONCLUSIONS:
Backpack loads represent a significant percentage of body weight of this sample of students aged 5-12 yr. Some students are already using wheeled backpacks, which may have their own hazards.
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Author information
Author/s: Forjuoh, Samuel N (SN); Lane, Bryan L (BL); Schuchmann, John A (JA);
Affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Texas A&M University System Heatlh Science Center, College of Medicine, Temple 76504, USA.
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation / Association of Academic Physiatrists (Am J Phys Med Rehabil), published in United States. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2003-Apr; vol 82 (issue 4) : pp 261-6
Dates: Created 2003/03/21; Completed 2003/04/18; Revised 2006/11/15;
PMID: 12649650, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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