PURPOSE

To examine age and gender differences in schoolbag use and to compare findings in Greece with those of other countries.

METHOD

Schoolbag weight and carrying characteristics were assessed in 703 boys and girls aged 6 to 14 years.

RESULTS

Multinomial logistic regression models showed that younger students (6-8 years) were almost 5 more times more likely to carry heavier schoolbags than older students (p < 0.05). Similarly, more girls than boys carried heavier bags, and girls were twice more likely to experience fatigue symptoms when carrying schoolbags compared with boys (p < 0.05). The mean schoolbag weight was 12.4% of the student's body weight and moderately heavier than that reported for other countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Younger children are in greater need for education about schoolbag weight compared with older ones. There is also evidence that girls might experience more problems when carrying their schoolbag compared with boys.