§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the health risks of schoolchildren carrying excessive weight in unsuitable school bags. [114382]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 13 March 2000]: Weight bearing exercise is an important contributor to health. However, carrying excessive and unbalanced weights has the potential to contribute to musculo-skeletal injury. The risk is likely to be increased in the young, those with pre-existing skeletal problems and those who are overweight.
306WThrough the National Healthy Schools Standards we are asking schools to consider all the factors that impact on the health of the school community. Safety is one of the specific themes of the standard and this includes the need for regular risk assessments by an identified Health and Safety representative.