Poland: One in eight students carries overweight school backpacks

A recent inspection by the State Sanitary Inspection (GIS) in Poland revealed that approximately 12 percent of students—roughly one in eight—are carrying backpacks that are too heavy. The study involved 207,663 students across 2,038 primary schools and 13,423 classrooms.

Health experts advise that a school bag should weigh between 10 and 15 percent of a child's body weight. For a child weighing 35 kg, the limit is between 3.5 kg and 5.25 kg. Carrying excessive weight can lead to muscle and joint tension, neck, hip, and knee pain, and improper posture.

Beyond backpack weight, the GIS conducts broader inspections of school environments. These include checking sanitary conditions, access to drinking water, classroom ventilation, lighting, and the availability of sports infrastructure. The inspection also evaluates whether schools provide adequate space for students to leave textbooks and supplies behind to reduce daily load.