As a new scholastic year started this week, the Association of Private Family Doctors (APFD) once again stressed the importance of limiting the weight of school bags being carried by children.

In a press statement, the Association reminded parents with children of school age, education authorities and the Education Department, that international standards limit the weight of school bags to not more than 10% of the child's bodyweight. However this does not mean that overweight children are expected to carry heavier bags.

The statment added, that the Health Promotion Department should also be proactive in suggesting ways how this ideal should be attained, for example by the provision of lockers in school and by the intelligent use of time-tables.