Back-breaking school bags: Heavy loads taking toll on kids’ spines and health

Ten-year-old Riya Sharma, a Class 5 student, is reeling under the burden of a heavy school bag, literally. Weighing just 28kg, the girl had been carrying a 6.5kg school bag — more than 24% of her body weight.
Her parents noticed her rubbing her shoulders frequently and walking with a slight forward bend. Worried, they took her to the King George’s Medical University (KGMU), where doctors confirmed that the heavy bag was straining her back and muscles far beyond the safe limit.
Riya’s case is not rare. Many schoolchildren are complaining of orthopaedic problems such as back, neck, and shoulder pain, forward head posture, uneven shoulders, and even spinal issues like scoliosis due to heavy school bags. Children may also experience muscle strain, fatigue, difficulty in walking and, in severe cases, early signs of pressure on the spine.

The ministry of education guideline says that a school bag should not weigh more than 10-15% of a student’s body weight.
Ravi Mishra, an 11-year boy, developed chronic lower back pain and found it hard to climb stairs. Doctors diagnosed that his 7kg bag was altering the alignment of his spine. Nine-year-old Sana Qureshi from Alambagh frequently complained of headache and fatigue. Diagnosis revealed her 6kg bag was pushing her neck forward and impacting her body balance.
KGMU doctors say such cases are rising fast and need urgent attention.
Prof Abhishek Saini from KGMU’s orthopaedic department cited a study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood (Spain), which examined 1,400 students in the 12–17 age group.
It found that 61% of them were carrying bags heavier than 10% of their body weight. Students with the heaviest bags were 50% more likely to report back pain lasting more than 15 days a year. Girls reported more discomfort than boys, and several were diagnosed with spinal curvature and muscle inflammation.
Prof Shah Walliulah, a spine surgeon at KGMU, says carrying a heavy bag for 15 minutes daily can cause shoulder pain, tiredness, and affect a child’s walking pattern. “It also increases the risk of tripping, especially on stairs or uneven ground,” he adds.
Prof Ajai Singh, AIIMS Bhopal director and a paediatric orthopaedic expert at KGMU, warned that carrying bags exceeding 15% of a child's body weight increases the risk of posture problems and spinal stress. He emphasised the importance of using two-strap backpacks, which distribute weight more evenly across both shoulders. “Single-strap bags put strain on one side of the body, causing neck pain and even spinal curvature over time,” he said.
He highlighted poor posture habits at home and school as contributing factors. “Children often lie down while studying or spend long hours hunched over phones and tablets. Besides, many schools have desks and chairs that are too low or too high, forcing kids to lean forward while writing. This, combined with heavy bags, worsens the problem.”
Prof Syed Faisal Khan Afaque, a paediatric orthopaedic expert at KGMU, pointed out an added concern: Vitamin D deficiency. “Children who do not receive adequate vitamin D supplements have weaker bones. When such children carry heavy school bags, the problem worsens over time.”
He praised schools that are moving towards smart classrooms and digital learning. “Some schools now give online assignments and keep textbooks in classrooms. For younger students, trolley bags can also help reduce the burden.” A paediatrician at KGMU, Dr Nishant Verma, said, “In the long term, carrying heavy bags can affect the spine and hinder the height growth in a child.”
Experts said what’s happening in city schools reflects a global problem, but small local steps can make a big difference. From reviewing bag weight policies and improving furniture to promoting digital tools and yoga breaks—every effort counts. “After all, no child should have to choose between learning and their health,” said Prof Saini.
Schools, meanwhile, put the onus on parents and students to lighten the bags. Anil Agrawal, president of the Unaided Private School Association, said if children bring books and notebooks according to the timetable, their bags will be lighter.
Schools already take care of children and prepare timetables in a way that suits them. He also suggested that parents should ensure that children carry lightweight water bottles or avoid bringing them altogether, as schools have drinking water facilities.