Serious back problems could be the future for school children who carry backpacks loaded down with books.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, used an upright MRI scanner to look at the effects of heavy backpacks on 11-year-old children.
When the children put on backpacks that were 20-to-30-percent of their body weight, they caused compression of their discs and curving of the lower spine.
Researchers say kids typically carry backpacks that are 10-to-22-percent of their body weight. Over time, this added weight could lead to significant back pain.
The study was published in the journal, Spine.
