Foot dimensions and morphology in healthy weight, overweight and obese males

Price, C; Nester, CJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Overweight and obesity are increasing in prevalence. However, despite reports of poor foot health, the influence of obesity and overweight on adult foot morphology has received limited attention. The objective of this work is to accurately and appropriately quantify the foot morphology of adults who are overweight and obese.

METHODS:

The foot morphology of 23 healthy weight (BMI=22.9kg.m-2), overweight (27.5kg.m-2) and obese (32.9kg.m-2) age (60years) matched males was quantified using a 3D scanner (all size UK 9). Data analysis computed normalised (to foot length) standard anatomical measures, and widths, heights and circumferences of 31 evenly spaced cross-sections of right feet.

FINDINGS:

Anatomical measures of foot, ball and heel width, ball and heel circumference and ball height were all greater in the obese group than the healthy weight (P<0.05). Cross-sectional measures were significantly wider than the healthy group for the majority of measures from 14 to 67% (P=0.025-1.000) of heel-to-toe length. Also, the obese group had significantly higher midfoot regions (P=0.024-0.025). This increased foot height was not evident from anatomical measures, which were not sensitive enough to detect dimensional differences in this foot region.

INTERPRETATION:

Feet of obese adults differ from healthy and overweight individuals, notably they are wider. Data needs to avoid reliance upon discrete anatomical landmarks to describe foot morphology. In the obese, changes in foot shape do not coincide with traditional anatomical landmarks and more comprehensive foot shape data are required to inform footwear design.

Citation

Price, C., & Nester, C. (2016). Foot dimensions and morphology in healthy weight, overweight and obese males. Clinical Biomechanics, 37, 125-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2016.07.003

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 13, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jul 15, 2016
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Aug 3, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 15, 2017
• Journal: Clinical Biomechanics
• Print ISSN: 0268-0033
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 37
• Pages: 125-130
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2016.07.003
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2016.07.003
• Related Public URLs: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268003316301012