Ideal school bags keep diseases at bay: Expert

The length of the bag must be appropriate for the child’s height

DT News Network

Manama

 With the beginning of the new school year, parents go to shops to buy and equip the school year with requirements of stationery, clothes and bags, but a few parents follow the required health specifications when choosing a school bag.

 According to Dr. Eman Ahmed Haji, Head of the School Health Department at the Health Ministry, apart from choosing the bag desired by their child, it is also important to check if the school bag is ideal for the child’s health.

 “We have to ensure that the bag would not cause our child any back, neck and spinal curvature disorder that may be accompanied by pain throughout their life, especially if they do not take into account carrying with the correct method,” she warned.

 Dr. Eman Haji pointed that the ideal school bag must meet a number of requirements and specifications. “The bag should be lightweight and that the contents of the bag weigh no more than 10-15pc of the weight of the child. The bag must also require two strong straps appropriate the balance the weight distributed on their back muscles,” she elaborated.

 “The school bag must also require a protected pad on the surface of the back to ensure its comfort. When waiting for a long time, the bag must not be carried for than five minutes and it should be lowered. Lastly, children must not carry their bags with one shoulder,” the doctor said.

 She explained that the trolley bags might be very helpful to reduce the burden on the back. “However it must be taken into account that the length of the bag must be appropriate for the child’s height so that the child is not forced to bend.”

 She noted: “It must be taken into consideration when the child rides up and down the stairs as it is preferable that the child does not carry the bag when going up and down the stairs.”

 She stressed that parents must see if the contents of the bag remain appropriately small and light when replaced. Dr. Eman Haji also described the role of teachers to direct students to carry books that they needed and provide a bookshelf at the school.