IF you have ever watched a child stagger off to school under the weight of a loaded back pack, a new study commissioned by the British Chiropractic Association will come as no surprise.

More than half the parents questioned for the association's research said they felt their child's school bag was too heavy and 29 per cent said their child had complained of back pain.

According to the BCA, almost one in three chiropractic patients suffers from injuries stemming from childhood.

And it warns that the figure is set to grow because of heavy schoolbags, the number of hours many children spend in front of a computer and lack of exercise.

Now more than 130 chiropractors across the UK are opening their doors during half term week to offer schoolchildren a spinal health check. All the BCA asks is that parents make a donation to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Among those taking part between October 28 and November 1 is Steven Oldale, of the Back in Form Chiropractic Clinic in Parkstone Road, Poole.

Steven, who already sees children with back problems, said: "We are acutely aware of the risk and strain that 11 to 18-year-olds are putting themselves under every day at school, which is the reason behind the half term health check.

"Children at this age are extremely vulnerable to back problems later in life, as their young bones are soft and still developing. Our research highlighted how worried parents are, and we as chiropractors want to help, otherwise the schoolchildren of today could be the back sufferers of tomorrow."

He added: "It's very difficult to say whether carrying a heavy bag to school will cause problems. There's usually a combination of factors. If you are fit, have good posture and a healthy lifestyle, you will definitely have less trouble."

Steven believes it would be useful for schools to educate pupils about how to prevent and manage back problems, as most people are affected at some time in their lives.

International guidelines are that children of average weight and height for their age should carry no more than 20 per cent of their body weight.

But any backpack weighing more than 15 per cent of the body weight makes a child unable to stand correctly. Forward bending at the back also makes the work of breathing harder - children carrying bags weighing more than a tenth of their own body weight have been found to have poorer lung function.

And experts warn that children who bear the weight on one shoulder can develop an abnormally curved spine, causing long-lasting backaches and damage.

Sue Shillabeer, of BackCare (formerly the National Back Pain Association), said the charity recommended that children should bear no more than 10 per cent of their own body weight - or just over four kilograms for an average 12-year-old.

"When we did a survey, we found some children were carrying much more than that - in one case up to 60 per cent of the body weight," she said.

"If a 16-year-old were at work, there would be legislation to cover how much they could carry. Because they are at school, there's no legislation, and the problem seems to be getting worse.

"There's a lot of evidence to suggest that schools don't provide lockers and kids don't have desks, so they are generally carrying around their entire supply of school books for the day. By the time you add on PE kit, a musical instrument and home economics stuff, they are heavily laden."

BackCare believes schools generally are not taking the problem seriously enough.

"By the time they reach 14, more than half of children will have experienced back pain. If you have a back problem by the age of 14, you are going to carry it on in adult life," warned Sue.

BackCare sells its own rucksack for schoolchildren. The senior size costs £22 and the junior and infant sizes £16.50. Postage and packing is £4.25 for each rucksack.

Order by credit card on 020 8977 5474 or by post from BackCare, 16 Elm Tree Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 8ST.

How to ease the strain for your child

TO help your child avoid joint and back pain in later life, the British Chiropractic Association's advice is:

A rucksack is the best option if your child has to carry a bag to school - it should be carried over both shoulders with the straps adjusted so the bag is held close to the back.

Make sure your child is not carrying any unnecessary weight.

Make sure your child had soft-soled supportive shoes with a good grip.

Encourage your child to take regular exercise.

Try to limit sessions on the computer to 40 minutes at a time.

Make sure he or she is sitting comfortably with the spine supported when using a PC or games console.

For further information or details on chiropractors taking part in the half term health check campaign, contact the British Chiropractic Association on 0118 950 5950. Back in Form can be contacted in 01202 649900.