Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign to address childhood obesity has recently been getting a lot of press. We’ll take a look at a study that evaluates the impact of overweight and obesity in children on their feet when walking.
Does Excess Mass Affect Plantar Pressure in Young Children?
Mickle, et al., evaluated 34 preschool children (17 control and 17 overweight/obese) to determine the effects of overweight and obesity on plantar pressures during gait. Overweight/obese children had significantly larger plantar contact areas and forces when compared to the non-overweight control group. In addition, overweight/obese children had significantly higher peak pressures, force-time integrals and pressure-time integrals underneath the midfoot compared to the control group.
Significance of the Article
The larger contact area in the overweight/obese children was not sufficient to compensate for the high forces in the foot during walking. This generated higher midfoot plantar pressures which, the authors postulate, could result in foot pain, discomfort, and/or develop into musculoskeletal disorders. The higher force/time and pressure/time integrals in the midfoot may expose obese/overweight children to increased stress and, possibly lead to bony fatigue and soft tissue damage.
Significance of Orthotic Therapy
Protection of the midfoot by a semi rigid orthoses may protect the feet of overweight children. Orthoses should be used with shoes that have a supportive midsole. This intervention may lessen pain during activity, which is often reported by obese individuals, allowing increased activity and perhaps more weight control. Modifications to pediatric orthoses, such as a medial flange and deep heel cup, may provide a better distribution of forces in the overweight child.
Foot and ankle surgeons treat many overweight children with custom orthotic devices (shoe inserts), physical therapy and other conservative measures to reduce or eliminate pain. But treating painful feet and ankles is only part of the childhood weight loss equation.
“As foot and ankle surgeons, we can reduce the aches and pains so these children can run around and play like all the other kids, but parents need to take responsibility for watching their children’s lifestyles and diets,” say Dr. Levy and Dr. Lavian.
For more information, contact Dana Lavian, D.P.M. and Leslie G. Levy, D.P.M. office at 661-254-0795. Leslie G. Levy, D.P.M. and Dana Lavian, D.P.M. are board certified in foot and ankle surgery and earned their podiatric medical degree from Podiatric Medical School. They both have been practicing in Valencia for 20 years.