It is an established fact that the ideal weight of bags carried by students should be 10% of their body. The awareness of this fact does not is evident in Jamaican institutions. The aim of this research is to determine the degree of impact on students carrying heavy schools bags. The research also aims to ascertain the areas of greatest discomfort as a result of carrying school bags greater than 10% of their body weight. Also determine the extent of the various stakeholders’ awareness and knowledge of the recommendation of body mass ratio.
Objectives will seek to:
- Measure the weight of schoolbags carried by students
- Determine the types of bags and how they are carried by students
- Determine the ratio between the weight of the school bags carried by students and students’ body weight.
- Determine discomfort experienced by students while carrying the habits of carrying school
- Ascertain the perspective of school administrators/parents on the potential impact of students carrying school bags?
- Determine from teachers the behaviour of students as it relates to carrying heavy bags with books to class.
Research Questions
- Does the weight of schoolbags contribute to students’ discomfort?
- Does the type of bags and how it is worn by students have any significant impact on their discomfort?
- Is there a direct correlation between students’ body weight and the weight of schoolbags as it relates to students’ discomfort?
- What is the ideal ratio between students’ body weight and the weight of schoolbags that will help to alleviate discomfort associated with large and heavy schoolbags?
