| Description: | Have you noticed how many books and other items you carry to and from school every day? There is an increasing body of research suggesting that the amount of weight individuals’ carry in their backpacks is a growing national health concern. The long-term effect of years of backpack use has yet to be determined. However, the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission reported that in 2007, more than 23,000 emergency room visits
resulted from injuries related to backpacks and book bags.
On Sept. 19, 2012, the American Occupational Therapy Association
(AOTA) is sponsoring National School Backpack Awareness Day™,
an annual national educational event to call attention to health problems
in children and adults caused by backpacks that are too heavy or worn
improperly. The JCHS Occupational Therapy Department will be
participating in Backpack Awareness Day. This special event is one of
many being held around the country to help educate children, students,
parents, school staff and communities about the proper use of backpacks
and the health risks of improper use.
To illustrate how heavy student’s backpacks are and to call attention to the
correct way to wear backpacks, we will be holding a “weigh-in” of students
and their backpacks on September 19 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the CRCH
Third Floor Lobby Area. Backpacks should contain the items that you
usually carry to and from school, and should not be overloaded or unloaded for
this event. Your participation is voluntary. Occupational therapy faculty and students will be supervising the weigh-in.
Because a major purpose of National School Backpack Awareness Day is to educate the community about the proper packing and wearing of backpacks, the event may include media coverage. Photographs of the event also may be taken. |
