Why are we doing this project?
Experts say that for every 20 lbs. of bodyweight, you should only carry 3 lbs. in your backpack. This equals 15%. Other recommendations go as low as 6% of your body weight. Doctors say that heavy loads can cause shoulder pain or lower-back pain. We find this study to be so important that we have weighed almost all of the students at GA--that's over 800 students and their backpacks!