This study had two objectives. First, to determine the prevalence of hollow (high-arched) and flat foot among primary school children in Cracow (Poland). Second, to evaluate the relationship between the type of medial longitudinal arch (MLA; determined by the Clarke’s angle) and degree of fatness. The prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity was determined by means of IOTF cut-offs with respect to age and gender. A sample of 1,115 children (564 boys and 551 girls) aged between 3 and 13 years was analyzed. In all age groups, regardless of gender, high-arched foot was diagnosed in the majority of children. A distinct increase in the number of children with high-arched foot was observed between 7- and 8-year olds. Regardless of the gender, high-arched foot was more common among underweight children. In the group of obese children, the biggest differences were attributed to gender. High-arched foot was the most frequently observed among boys. In all gender and obesity level groups, the flat foot was more common among boys than among girls. Conclusions: High-arched foot is the most common foot defect among children 3–13 years old regardless of gender. Flat foot is least frequently observed in children 3–13 years old. A statistic correlation between MLA and adiposity is observed. Stronger correlation is observed among girls.

This study in children aged 6–13 years (n = 1,499) was performed between October 2008 and March 2009. Height and weight measurements were taken to calculate BMI. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined by means of IOTF cut-offs with respect to age. Alarming is the fact that the percentage of obese children in Cracow increased dramatically from 1.04% in boys and 0.20% in girls in 1971 to 7% in boys and 3.6% in girls in 2009. In this report, a higher percentage of overweight boys was observed in rural boys (28.14%) than in urban ones (27.31%). Obesity was identified in an almost twice as high percentage of urban boys (7.78%) as in rural ones (3.52%). A higher percentage of overweight girls was registered in rural areas (16.49%) than in urban ones (16.09%). Obesity was prevailing in rural girls (4.12%) relative to their urban counterparts (3.44%). The highest number of overweight urban boys was diagnosed in the group of 12-year-olds (n = 48) and rural boys in the group of 10-year-olds (n = 39), as well as in urban girls aged 11 (n = 17) and rural girls aged 9 (n = 9). The highest number of obesity was observed in rural boys aged 12 (n = 3) and in urban boys aged 9 and 10 (n = 9 in both groups). In the group of girls, obesity prevailed in urban 9-year-olds (n = 5) and in rural 7-year-olds (n = 5). Conclusions: Overweight and obesity affect boys almost twice as frequently as girls. Obesity is twice as frequent in urban boys as in their rural peers.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of excessive feet arching (symmetrical and asymmetrical) on plantar pressure distribution and on the alignment of pelvis, spine and shoulder girdle. Eighty-one women (20–40 years old, 61 +/− 12 kg, 165 +/− 5 cm) were divided into 3 groups based on the foot arch index (Group 1 - with normally arched feet, Group 2 with one foot properly arched and the other high-arched, Group 3 with both feet high-arched). Plantar pressure distribution between the right and left foot for the forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot, respectively and body posture were assessed. A slight increase in longitudinal arch of the foot caused changes in the distribution of feet loads both between limbs and between the forefoot and rearfoot and also influenced the whole body. Asymmetrical high-arching of the feet resulted in asymmetry of lower limb load and in the height of the shoulder girdle. We have suggested that any alteration of the foot arch may be harmful to body tissues and should not be considered as correct. Due to the fact that slight increases in longitudinal arch of the foot are very common, they should be considered as a foot defect, and appropriate corrective exercises should be used to prevent forefoot overload and alterations in body posture.

These results suggest that the type of foot arch is influenced by parameters such as age, sex, and obesity level. High-arched foot seemed to be the most frequent pathologic abnormality in the examined group, and flatfoot, which was predominant in boys and obese children, diminished with age. High-arched foot was a more common MLA type than flatfoot regardless of obesity level assessed on the basis of body mass index and sum of three skinfolds.

Streszczenie Obecnie dolegliwości bólowe kręgosłupa lędźwiowo-krzyżowego stanowią istotny problem zdrowotny, społeczny i ekonomiczny. Celem pracy była ocena dolegliwości bólowych dolnego odcinka kręgosłupa i nawyków ruchowych u osób prowadzących siedzący tryb życia, wynikający z charakteru wykonywanej pracy zawodowej. Badania przeprowadzono w okresie od listopada 2010 do lutego 2011. Materiał badawczy stanowiły 2 grupy osób: 57 pracowników biurowych (w tym 40 kobiet i 17 mężczyzn) oraz 43 kierowców autobusów i taksówkarzy (wyłącznie mężczyźni). W pierwszej grupie prze- dział wiekowy mieścił się w granicach od 21 do 60 lat, a w drugiej między 21, a 63 lat. Narzędzie badawcze stanowiła autorska ankieta składająca się z czterech części. Pierwsza i druga część zawierała pytania dotyczące danych osobowych oraz informacji na temat wykonywanej pracy. W trzeciej zapytano o ewentualne dolegliwości bólowe dolnego odcinka kręgosłupa, natomiast w czwartej o nawyki ruchowe, znajomość profilaktyki i sposób spędzania czasu wolnego. Uzyskane wyniki świadczą o częstszym występowaniu dolegliwości bólowych dolnego odcinka kręgosłupa wśród kierowców (62,8%). Problem ten dotyczy również częściej osób z wysokim nieprawidłowym BMI (25 i powyżej). Więcej nieprawidłowości w postawie ciała pojawiało się w grupie pracowników biurowych niż wśród kierowców. Prevalence of low back pain and motor habits in individuals leading a sedentary lifestyle