Flat feet occurrence among young school-age children and its association with body mass index values

A sedentary lifestyle, characterised by a lack of physical activity, negatively influences Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI may be related to the prevalence of flat feet. This study aims to observe the occurrence of flat feet in young children and determine its association with BMI. Additionally, it aims...

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Main Author: Sona Jandova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Schweizerbart Science Publishers 2024-09-01
Series:Homo
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/homo/2024/1754
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author Sona Jandova
author_facet Sona Jandova
author_sort Sona Jandova
collection DOAJ
description A sedentary lifestyle, characterised by a lack of physical activity, negatively influences Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI may be related to the prevalence of flat feet. This study aims to observe the occurrence of flat feet in young children and determine its association with BMI. Additionally, it aims to analyse foot loading in the forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot. Dynamographic records of children (N = 142; age = 10.3 ± 0.21 years) were collected during walking, and foot-type evaluations were conducted using a force plate. A normal foot type was observed in 44% of children (BMI 16.0 ± 2.3 kg/m2). Flat feet were observed in 54% of children (BMI 18.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2). A high foot arch was observed in only 2% of children (BMI 16.0 ± 1.3 kg/m2). Children with flat feet had higher BMI values than those with normal feet. The contact time and maximal vertical force in the forefoot and rearfoot were similar in children with normal and flat feet. Significantly higher pressure values were observed in the midfoot zone of children with flat feet. Regression analysis results showed that in children with flat feet, there is a decrease in forefoot loading and an increase in midfoot loading with increasing BMI. This trend was not observed in children with normal feet. We recommend incorporating exercise interventions at this age to prevent pain and promote willingness to engage in physical activity. Higher BMI values indicate an increased risk for the prevalence of flat feet.
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spelling doaj-art-2e840cc21e954f8386ffa41deb0e26862025-02-03T08:44:55ZengSchweizerbart Science PublishersHomo1618-13012024-09-017511710.1127/homo/2024/1754105992Flat feet occurrence among young school-age children and its association with body mass index valuesSona JandovaA sedentary lifestyle, characterised by a lack of physical activity, negatively influences Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI may be related to the prevalence of flat feet. This study aims to observe the occurrence of flat feet in young children and determine its association with BMI. Additionally, it aims to analyse foot loading in the forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot. Dynamographic records of children (N = 142; age = 10.3 ± 0.21 years) were collected during walking, and foot-type evaluations were conducted using a force plate. A normal foot type was observed in 44% of children (BMI 16.0 ± 2.3 kg/m2). Flat feet were observed in 54% of children (BMI 18.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2). A high foot arch was observed in only 2% of children (BMI 16.0 ± 1.3 kg/m2). Children with flat feet had higher BMI values than those with normal feet. The contact time and maximal vertical force in the forefoot and rearfoot were similar in children with normal and flat feet. Significantly higher pressure values were observed in the midfoot zone of children with flat feet. Regression analysis results showed that in children with flat feet, there is a decrease in forefoot loading and an increase in midfoot loading with increasing BMI. This trend was not observed in children with normal feet. We recommend incorporating exercise interventions at this age to prevent pain and promote willingness to engage in physical activity. Higher BMI values indicate an increased risk for the prevalence of flat feet.http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/homo/2024/1754vertical forceplantar pressurecontact timeforefootmidfootrearfoot
spellingShingle Sona Jandova
Flat feet occurrence among young school-age children and its association with body mass index values
Homo
vertical force
plantar pressure
contact time
forefoot
midfoot
rearfoot
title Flat feet occurrence among young school-age children and its association with body mass index values
title_full Flat feet occurrence among young school-age children and its association with body mass index values
title_fullStr Flat feet occurrence among young school-age children and its association with body mass index values
title_full_unstemmed Flat feet occurrence among young school-age children and its association with body mass index values
title_short Flat feet occurrence among young school-age children and its association with body mass index values
title_sort flat feet occurrence among young school age children and its association with body mass index values
topic vertical force
plantar pressure
contact time
forefoot
midfoot
rearfoot
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/homo/2024/1754
work_keys_str_mv AT sonajandova flatfeetoccurrenceamongyoungschoolagechildrenanditsassociationwithbodymassindexvalues