i am 14 and am in high school. i carry a back pack with 3-4 textbooks to every class with is abt 6 times. will it make me stay short or will it make me taller somehow?
2006-08-21 09:27:58 · 55 answers · asked by Toby 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
no it wouldn't affect your growth that way.
2006-08-21 09:33:01 · answer #1 · answered by knowbuddycares 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I may be going against the popular opinion here, but I'm going to say that at the very least it might give you back problems.
It also might compress your spine over a period of time that could lead to a loss in height. For those of us that grew up with 4 - 6 inch spike heels, & wore them all the time, some of us ended up shorter because the tendons in the ankles contracted. Sometimes this can be corrected with surgery & sometimes it can't.
Out on a limb, I'd say that this could happen in other areas of the body too if something is continually compressed. Also think of the neck stretching from African tribes & the smaller feet of women in Japan.
My advice would be to use proper body mechanics & to switch off the packs & purses.
2006-08-21 09:39:11 · answer #2 · answered by Shadow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt it will affect your growth, but you could hurt your back if you carry so many books continuously.
I've had back problems since I was about 16. When I went to the chiropractor my back was so bent out of shape that they asked me if I have ever been in a car accident or if I have fell. The answer was no. The only probable cause was the fact that I carried a heavy bag on my back for years.
So please be careful. See if you can rent a locker or something so you do not have to carry all those text books in your book bag. Or carry some in your hands.
2006-08-21 09:38:42 · answer #3 · answered by sheaonr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with socalgrrr105.
Do you realize how you automatically lean forward and let your neck hang down when carrying your backpack? After a while such a heavy load will affect your posture- the health of your spine....and a messed up spine will affect your overall well-being....Do yourself a favor and get one of those backpacks with wheels.
You will appear shorter, because your posture will be poor (you will slowly develop a hunchback posture....and that will make you seem shorter.
You can also go to the gym and do back (upper and lower back) strengthening...+abs strengthening- both are important for good posture....to prevent damage to your back.
2006-08-21 09:45:20 · answer #4 · answered by justmemimi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wont do either of those things. All it will do is give you a bad back. I have to carry a lot of books home from school, but I dont have a regular backpack, so it makes it harder on my back. So I know how you feel.
2006-08-21 09:41:21 · answer #5 · answered by London T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It won't make you shorter but it might turn you into a hunchback. Have a nice clean cut boy carry the books for you whenever you can. If you're lucky he'll take you to the malt shop after school.
2006-08-21 09:36:56 · answer #6 · answered by Hippie Bill Clinton 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It won't make you taller, that's for sure.
Wearing very heavy backpacks at a young age can cause scoliosis (I may have spelled that wrong) but is not likely to stunt your growth, especially at your age.
I carried heavy packs at your age and my back is fine and my growth was not stunted. now, if you were asking me this adn you were 8 years old, I would be more concerned.
2006-08-21 09:34:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it won't make you stay shorter. It's just bad for your back, and people get hunchbacks from heavy backpacks. It'll make your spine curve if the books are really really heavy.
2006-08-21 09:33:24 · answer #8 · answered by musicrazy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it won't make you shorter or taller. It'll build up your leg muscles though. Just be sure to exercise regularly without your backpack on.
2006-08-21 09:33:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when i was younger my dad used to make me carry weights in my backpack to "make my legs stronger". Now i'm 22 and i am all of 2 ft. 5
2006-08-21 09:36:54 · answer #10 · answered by raider34342001 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It wont make you shorter. It wont make you taller either, unfortunately....
It will, however, make your legs , back and shoulders strong!!!
Just make sure you try to walk up-right and not hunched over [that could end up hurting your back]. and remember to never carry more than you handle.
2006-08-21 09:36:09 · answer #11 · answered by AJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋