Are the feet of obese children fat or flat? Revisiting the debate

Abstract

Objective: There is debate as to the effects of obesity on the developing feet of children. We aimed to determine whether the flatter foot structure characteristic of obese primary school-aged children was due to increased medial midfoot plantar fat pad thickness (fat feet) or due to structural lowering of the longitudinal arch (flat feet). Methods and procedures: Participants were 75 obese children (8.3±1.1 years, 26 boys, BMI 25.2±3.6 kg m À2 ) and 75 age-and sex-matched non-obese children (8.3 ± 0.9 years, BMI 15.9 ± 1.4 kg m À2 ). Height, weight and foot dimensions were measured with standard instrumentation. Medial midfoot plantar fat pad thickness and internal arch height were quantified using ultrasonography. Results: Obese children had significantly greater medial midfoot fat pad thickness relative to the leaner children during both non-weight bearing (5.4 and 4.6 mm, respectively; Po0.001) and weight bearing (4.7 and 4.3 mm, respectively; Po0.001). The obese children also displayed a lowered medial longitudinal arch height when compared to their leaner counterparts (23.5 and 24.5 mm, respectively; P ¼ 0.006). Conclusion: Obese children had significantly fatter and flatter feet compared to normal weight children. The functional and clinical relevance of the increased fatness and flatness values for the obese children remains unknown.

Foot shape and its relationship with somatic characteristics in pre-school children

“…Based on the conducted study, they recognised that lower plantar arch height found in the overweight/obese children suggests that the flatter feet characteristic of overweight/obese preschool children may be caused by structural changes in their foot anatomy. Riddiford-Harland et al [18] considered whether the feet in obese children are flat or fat. The authors' findings indicate that obese children had significantly greater medial midfoot fat pad thickness relative to the leaner children during both non-weight bearing and weight bearing.…”

Footprint analysis and prevalence of flatfoot: a study among the children of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

“…The morphology and functional development of the foot are influenced by internal factors (sex, genetics, and age) and external factors (footwear habits, loading, and physical activity (Echaari and Forriol 2003). Because the foot structure of children is not fully developed, the influence of ill-fitting shoes can prevent the normal development of the foot and result in problems and pathologies in both childhood and adulthood (Riddiford Harland et al 2011) Therefore, footwear should be designed to satisfy the foot dimensions of children, according to the characteristics of the population (Jiménez-Ormeño et al 2013).…”

The relationship between flat feet and cavus foot with body mass index in girl students

“…Gano and Panahal also concluded that obesity reduced the internal length of the arch due to the excessive overload of the weight forces, and thus had a negative effect on the index of the arch of the foot (25). A Harland study on obese children showed that the index of the arch was significantly longer and wider than its normal counterparts [26].…”