Contrary to popular belief, heavy backpacks do not cause back pain in children.

Researchers at Sydney University have looked at 69 studies on backpacks and back pain involving more than 72,000 students aged between 12 and 14.

It found heavy school bags don’t contribute to back pain in kids and young adults.

Senior author, Associate Professor Steven Kamper, tells Ben Fordham there is no convincing evidence of a link.

“I think this result’s going to to be surprising for a lot of people.

“What we found was there doesn’t seem to be any good scientific evidence which suggests that there is a link between backpack weight or the duration of use and back pain the school kids.”

Listen to the full interview below