On 28/3/2023: In a school in Ahmedabad, a student fainted in the classroom during an exam. He was immediately taken to the hospital, but could not be saved — he died. Cause: Heart attack.
On 4/4/2023: In Dhamad, a small farmer’s child from Kheda district fainted in the classroom during the exam. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but he died before help could reach him. Cause: Heart attack.
On 25/5/2023: A 15-year-old girl from Navsari collapsed while sweeping the classroom before exams began. Cause: Heart attack.
On 26/7/2023: In Surat, a schoolgirl suddenly fainted and collapsed while playing with her friends during recess. She died before reaching the hospital. Cause: Heart attack (according to family suspicion).
On 30/8/2023: A 12-year-old student in Devalpada collapsed at home while playing. Cause: Heart attack.
On 21/10/2023: In Parson, a young boy was cycling around the village with friends. Suddenly he collapsed. Despite attempts to revive him, he passed away. Cause: Heart attack.
The above are just a few examples from news reports. There are countless such incidents. These examples are not meant to scare parents, but to make them think. Why are so many children dying from heart attacks? What could be the possible reasons?
There can be many causes, but one of them is surely the burden of school bags.
We cannot ignore that, in many cases, one of the major reasons for this is the excessive weight of school bags.
Today’s children have become like carriers of heavy loads. And when this heavy load is placed on their tender bodies every day, the effects are bound to be harmful. Can such a burden, carried every single day, not weaken the child’s heart over time?
We are seeing today how the habits and lifestyle of children are being shaped under tremendous pressure — school pressure being one of the biggest. This discussion is directly linked to that.
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One university conducted a detailed study on the effects of heavy school bags.
Researchers studied 12 to 15-year-old students and the impact of school bags.
Here’s how they conducted it:
They divided the children into four groups;
- First group: Without school bags.
- Second group: Carrying bags weighing 9% of their body weight. (For example: if a child weighs 30 kg, then the school bag would weigh about 2.7 kg.)
- Third group: Carrying bags weighing 10.5% of their body weight. (For example: if a child weighs 30 kg, the bag would weigh about 3.15 kg.)
- Fourth group: Carrying bags weighing 13% of their body weight. (For example: if a child weighs 30 kg, the bag would weigh about 3.9 kg.)
The researchers then checked how this weight affected the heart rate of the children while climbing stairs:
- Children carrying no school bag showed no significant change in heart rate.
- Children carrying bags weighing 9% of their body weight showed some change, but not extreme.
- Children carrying bags weighing 10.5% of their body weight showed noticeable increase in heart rate during stair climbing.
- Children carrying bags weighing 13% of their body weight showed a large and harmful increase in heart rate.
This study clearly showed that the heavier the bag, the greater the negative impact on the heart.
Children who carried bags weighing 10.5% to 13% of their body weight not only experienced a higher heart rate but also showed an increase in blood pressure during exertion (systolic blood pressure).
In fact, the pressure increase was significant enough to be dangerous.
Even more concerning:
Those who carried bags weighing 13% of their body weight showed a marked increase in diastolic blood pressure (the lower reading in blood pressure measurement) during stair climbing.
What does this mean?
It means that carrying such heavy bags regularly causes physical strain to the heart and blood vessels. Over time, this can cause permanent damage to the cardiovascular system — leading to serious health risks.
Heavy bags not only strain the heart, but also the entire musculoskeletal system of the child.
It can affect their spine, shoulders, and neck alignment — causing lifelong posture and back issues. And sadly, these problems begin at a very young age.
The medical term for this is “Micro-trauma Syndrome” — a condition where repeated strain damages the body over time.
In some extreme cases, heavy bag strain can even cause Dissection of the Aorta — a life-threatening tear in the body’s main artery.
If this happens, the child may collapse suddenly and may not survive without immediate medical help.
Carrying heavy school bags regularly also affects a child’s walking posture.
You might notice:
- The bag straps pressing heavily on the child’s shoulders
- The bag resting too low on their back
- Padding in the straps or back area becoming compressed and uncomfortable
- The bag pressing on the lower back or hip area, causing pain
- Bag handles or edges rubbing against the child’s skin causing red marks or bruises
In many schools, children have to walk long distances from the main gate to the classroom.
Some schools are built on large campuses, and after assembly, children walk carrying their bags for quite some time. This walk itself causes unnecessary strain.
During the school day, children are often seated for hours without a proper break.
By the time they get home, they are mentally exhausted, and on top of that, physically strained by carrying heavy bags.
In some cases, this constant load and sitting for long hours can lead to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) — a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins due to restricted movement and poor circulation. Medical research has found such clotting in children who remain seated for prolonged periods while carrying heavy loads daily.
When a child’s body is under such strain, their concentration and focus can also be affected.
Some children may appear physically present in class but mentally tired, unable to fully engage in learning.
In extreme cases, heavy bag strain combined with poor posture and inadequate breaks can cause Cardiomyopathy — a heart muscle disorder that can be fatal if untreated. The stress placed on the child’s heart over time can become life-threatening.
Many schools require students to bring nearly 300 books per month! Daily, they carry multiple subject books, plus homework notebooks, art materials, and other supplies. In some schools, after morning assembly, children must carry their bags upstairs to classrooms; climbing several flights of stairs while holding a heavy load.
In rural areas, this problem is worse. Children sometimes walk long distances to reach school; often carrying their heavy bags across uneven terrain. They leave home early in the morning and return late afternoon, their day filled with physical strain.
In urban schools too, children may have to travel from home to school with bags filled to the brim, and then from classroom to classroom throughout the day.
Some children also attend extra tuition classes after school; carrying the same heavy bag to tuition as well. By evening, they are completely drained, leaving little time or energy for outdoor play or social activities.
In the worst cases, heart attacks among children have been reported — and many of these cases are linked to extreme mental and physical stress caused by academic pressure and heavy school bags.
Children’s health suffers in multiple ways:
- Physically: The weight strains their developing bones and muscles.
- Mentally: Constant tiredness can lead to irritability, stress, and anxiety.
- Socially: Limited time and energy for friends or family activities.
Culturally, children lose touch with traditional practices and outdoor games. Instead of playing and developing physical skills, they spend time recovering from exhaustion.
Extracurricular activities also suffer. Heavy bags discourage participation in sports, music, art, and drama ; all of which are essential for balanced personality development.
Even field trips become difficult. Carrying a heavy bag before and after such activities can drain the child’s enthusiasm and energy.
We must take this problem seriously.
The solution is not simply telling children to “be strong” or “get used to it.”
Instead, schools, parents, and education authorities must work together to reduce the academic and physical load placed on children.
Possible steps include:
- Reducing the number of books children need to carry daily.
- Providing lockers or storage space in schools.
- Rotating subject schedules to limit the books needed each day.
- Encouraging digital resources where possible to reduce physical load.
- Adjusting timetables to include more breaks and physical activity.
The goal is to ensure that children are healthy, happy, and able to learn effectively without carrying a burden that could harm their health for life.
Disclaimer:
This article reflects the author’s personal insights and reflections. It is shared with the intention of encouraging thoughtful parenting and generational harmony. The project and foundation are acknowledged as part of the original source for transparency and integrity.
