IndiaPosted at: Sep 24 2026 5:33PM


40pc rise in musculoskeletal problems among school children: Experts

New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) Musculoskeletal problems among schoolchildren have risen by 40 per cent, with physiotherapy experts warning that prolonged sitting, excessive screen time and poor movement habits, rather than heavy schoolbags alone, could be contributing to growing complaints of back pain.
The Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) has called for greater emphasis on physical fitness, movement education, posture awareness and preventive physiotherapy in schools to address the problem early.
"Back pain does not start in old age. We are seeing a concerning 40pc rise in musculoskeletal problems among schoolchildren, and this should make us rethink how we approach preventive healthcare in schools," said Dr Sanjiv K. Jha, organising chair of the World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific Regional Conference 2026 to be held in Delhi on the upcoming weekend.
He added that children today are spending long hours studying, using screens and remaining physically inactive.
Indian studies have also pointed to a significant burden of musculoskeletal symptoms among school-going children.
A study involving 934 children aged 8-15 years from four schools in Bhopal found that 55.9 per cent had experienced pain during the previous 12 months, while 21.3 per cent had sought medical attention.
The average schoolbag weighed 16.5 per cent of the students' body weight.
However, experts cautioned against attributing childhood back pain solely to schoolbags, saying factors such as prolonged sitting, physical inactivity, movement patterns, previous injuries and psychosocial factors can also play a role.
"We should not totally link childhood back pain to a heavy-schoolbag problem. Children need regular movement, physical fitness, strength, flexibility, good movement habits and awareness about how they use their bodies," said Dr Ruchi Varshney, organising secretary of the conference.
The IAP said schools could play a key role in preventive programmes through exercise, ergonomic awareness, posture education, early screening and injury prevention.
The World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific Regional Conference will be held at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi on September 26-27. UNI MBJ SAS
Tags: #40pc rise in musculoskeletal problems among school children: Experts
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