By Desiree Salas (media@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Sep 01, 2015 06:16 AM EDT

Ever notice your children bending forward just to manage the heavy burden of a backpack filled with schoolbooks? Their spine might be in for trouble.

"Since at least 1998, we've noticed backpacks getting bigger and heavier, and not in proportion to the kids' sizes," Dr. Karen Jacobs, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) spokesperson and Boston University professor, told Time. "Kids are saying 'My back hurts, my neck and my shoulders hurt,'" she continued. "A heavy backpack can also contribute to headaches and problems concentrating at school."

Dr. Jacobs also said that the lack of locker space and crowded schools seem to be driving the heavier backpack trend.

"As a general rule, research shows the backpack should be no more than 10 to 20 percent of your child's body weight to avoid pain or potential injury," she explained. "We like to err on the side of caution and recommend 10 percent."

Heavy backpacks spell trouble for children, whose young bodies are still developing. This is because the heavy load can compress the spine - that part of the body that keeps it upright - and compromise growth. It may also trigger back injuries or issues in the child at an older age.

"Pain often results when the weight of the pack pulls children backward, prompting them to bend forward or to arch their backs to keep the pack centered," The New York Times noted. "This position can compress the spine, pressing the vertebrae on the discs between them."

"If the child has to lean forward when walking with a loaded pack, it is too heavy. At the very least, it is a recipe for poor posture and chronically rounded shoulders," the publication added.

To counter these risks, Dr. Jacobs said that parents or guardians should check children's backpacks daily to ensure they are only carrying what they need.

"We've noticed that students are taking lots and lots of water to school with them, which is a lot of unnecessary weight," she said. "We're telling parents to send empty water bottles and have their kids fill them at school."

She also suggested proper positioning of contents in the backpacks. The heaviest items should be in the middle of the bag and is close to the child's back.

Rob Danoff, a doctor of osteopathic medicine and a certified family physician, said that design and proper fit should be considered. The backpack should be proportionate to the child's size and should have padded straps and back to prevent aches.

Bags with rollers are also feasible options, although some schools have reportedly banned these as they can be tripping hazards.

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