Backpack Awareness Day

For the second year now OSSR’s OT department and helpers participated in the American Occupational Therapy Association’s National Backpack Awareness Day. On 9/19/07 Kim Leger MSOT OTL/R and crew visited the 4th and 5th graders of Puyallup’s brand new Edgerton Elementary School and showed kids how to properly fit their backpacks. They also taught the students basic backpack safety skills.

So what exactly is NBA Day? As we all know, there are growing problems with kids and low back pain. Could this be stemming from their growing waist lines, lack of activity or perhaps the weight of their backpacks? (FYI-Many schools no longer have lockers.) The AOTA has begun a program of teaching kids and parents how to combat the effects of heavy backpacks. OT’s go into schools calculate the appropriate weight for their backpacks based on the students bodyweight. Children should not be carrying more than 15% of their bodyweight in backpacks. Perhaps check your own child. Did you know in 2001 there were over 7,000 ER visits related to backpacks and bookbags?

Great job Kim, Wanda, Mona, Charlotte, JD, Jonathon and Brent. If you have any questions about children and backpacks please contact Kim Leger and 253.845.2060.