Dear Mayo Clinic: For my kids, the best part of back-to-school shopping is picking out a new backpack. While I want them to have backpacks they like, I also want to make sure they have features that support their backs. What should I look for?

The backpack is as much a part of school life as homework, pencils and recess. Kids use backpacks to carry everything they need during the day and make a fashion statement. Unfortunately, the excess weight of supplies stuffed into an improperly worn backpack may lead to sore joints and muscles.

As a new school year begins, follow these tips to help kids take a load off:

Limit the weight. Students often tote a day’s worth of textbooks, a change of clothing for after-school activities, school projects and lunch. As a result, many parents have heard

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