It is an old topic but it is always good to get new information and current research. This time it comes from India. A study published in the latest edition of Indian Pediatrics journal

conducted on students from Mangalore’s high schools indicated that a backpack weighing 5% of the child’s body weight can significantly change trunk and lower limb angles of children. If the backpack weighs 15% of the child’s body weight, it changes angles pertaining to head, neck, trunk, and lower limb and affects overall posture.

As reported in the

Daily News & Analysis

Rather than taking laptops to school the study suggested more use of USB flash drives and CDs as well as school lockers.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/ report_heavy-backpacks-can-cause-disability-in-children-study_1412548