Associations between Obesity and Paediatric Foot Dimensions

Background: The influence of childhood obesity on shape and structure of the paediatric foot remains poorly understood. The purpose of this work was to determine associations between obesity and paediatric foot dimensions. Methods: A retrospective analysis of paediatric foot dimensions (foot length – FL; foot width – FW) in 3,713 children aged 3–18 years was undertaken. Logistic regression was used to determine relationships between foot length and foot width and weight category. Results: Compared with obese peers, typical weight (FL: p < .05, OR .83; FW: p < .05, OR .56) and underweight (FL: p < .05, OR .76; FW: p < .05, OR .41) boys had significantly shorter and narrower feet. Overweight (FL: p = .02, OR .88; FW: p = .02, OR .72), typical weight (FL: p < .05, OR .77; FW: p < .05, OR .47) and underweight (FL: p < .05, OR .70; FW: p < .05, OR .33) girls had significantly shorter and narrower feet. Conclusion: These findings suggest that obesity is an important determinant of paediatric foot dimensions. Given the current prevalence of obesity in children and young people, these findings may have population wide implications for paediatric foot health.