The Maine Occupational Therapy Association, MeOTA, will conduct a backpack awareness day on August 20 to educate children, parents, school administrators, teachers, and communities about the serious health effects on children from backpacks that are too heavy or worn improperly. This local event is part of the National School Backpack Awareness Day, being held by occupational therapy practitioners across the country.

The event will take place at L.L. Bean in Freeport. The event will be on Aug. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More than 79 million children and young adults in the U.S. carry heavy loads back and forth to school every day. Experts estimate that about 55 percent of them will be carrying too much weight. Research also shows children carrying overloaded and improperly worn packs are likely to experience neck, shoulder, and back pain; adverse effects on posture and the developing spine; and compromised breathing and fatigue. Some of these injuries continue into adulthood.

The American Occupational Therapy Association, AOTA, recommends that school backpacks weigh only 10 percent of a child’s weight. The growing awareness of potential long-term problems to children has resulted in increased medical research, and more coverage of the issue in mainstream publications as well as medical journals.

Occupational therapists will be available at the event for interviews and further information about backpack awareness.

About MeOTA

The Maine Occupational Therapy Association is committed to promoting the profession of Occupational Therapy and supporting all Occupational Therapy practitioners in the State of Maine.  www.meota.org.