Overweight and foot health

Spring has come to us, summer is just around the corner, so more and more people are realising that it is time to lose unnecessary kilograms, because it is not so easy to hide them behind a loose, winter sweater … When the nice weather comes, we do not only change our clothes, but also lighter and more exposed footwear appears on our feet. Unfortunately, not everyone of us eagerly puts on our feet comfortable sandals … Many people struggle with problems and diseases of the feet, which often cause deformities, thickening of the skin or unsightly appearance. So there is another argument to get rid of excess weight, because it turns out that excess weight and foot problems are very much related!

One of the most effective methods of dealing with excess weight is increasing physical activity. IPFH (Institute for Preventive Foot Health) emphasises, however, that obesity is becoming more common because it not only causes life-threatening metabolic diseases, but also increases the risk of foot health problems. Foot problems reduce the possibility of taking regular physical activity, and thus weight control becomes even more difficult.

Scientific studies clearly say that there is a strong relationship between increased body weight and foot ailments. In 2012, the National Foot Health Assessment survey was conducted, which showed that as many as 51% of overweight people describe the health of their feet as “poor” or “bad”. For comparison, only 21% of people with BMIs below 25 reported such problems. Of course, this is not an isolated survey showing such results. Similar results were shown by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society study, where a relationship between foot and ankle pain complainers and increased BMI was noted. One of the authors of this publication, Dr. Stuart Miller emphasises that it is extremely important to make the community aware that obesity is not only the cause of metabolic disorders, but also a major factor in diseases of the musculoskeletal system and has a special impact on the health of ankles and feet.

Nonspecific foot pain is a condition that often affects obese people. However, the research conducted among children provides us with disturbing facts. Overweight causing changes in the structure of the feet contributes to the fact that children are less willing to participate in sports activities. Children often do not yet have pain or other foot complaints, yet the reluctance to physical activity is noticeable due to changes in the kinetics of movements. Overweight children who shun physical activity will most likely develop obesity, raising even more alarming obesity statistics.

Looking at all the above facts and health consequences, prevention of obesity turns out to be extremely important. Let’s remember that obesity is not only a problem with excessive kilograms, it is a number of changes in the body that lead to immobilization and life-threatening diseases. Seeing problems with weight control, we should respond immediately without waiting for the appearance of serious metabolic and structural changes in our body. People who are overweight should especially take care of the health of their feet, so as not to close their way to a very effective method of reducing weight, which is physical activity.