Study Finds Obesity in Children Increases Foot Injury Risk
Footwear with American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance Helps Provide Support for Young Feet
Bethesda, MD – As America continues to struggle with a rising obesity epidemic, a recently published national study suggests that obese children are in danger of another health problem—developing a lower limb injury.
According to the study, published in the April 2010 issue of Pediatrics, obese children had more leg, foot, and ankle injuries than similarly aged children of a healthy weight. The study measured 23,000 children, ages 3 to 14 years old—about one in six of whom was considered obese.
“These findings are strongly troubling to those of us in the podiatry community. In addition to obesity causing injury and growth plate inflammation, children with existing foot ailments who have not been evaluated and treated by a medical specialist, such as a podiatrist, have a much greater tendency to avoid exercise altogether,” said Ronald D. Jensen, DPM, president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). “Inactivity is a major factor in developing obesity. For these reasons, it is important that parents be mindful of the type of footwear they purchase for their children, and make sure that any sign of foot problems and pain be evaluated by a podiatrist immediately.”
Having a child’s feet properly measured can also help avoid problems. Whether on the playground or around the home, ensuring that all children wear supportive footwear is paramount to avoiding injury. The following children’s footwear products have been given the APMA Seal of Acceptance, which recognizes products that set the benchmark for the footwear and foot care industries, and have been evaluated by a team of podiatrists to ensure proper foot function.
Dansko Children’s Collection. Available August 2010, Dansko’s new children’s collection has been reengineered to meet the unique needs of a child’s growing foot, and is available in several kid-friendly colors. Features include Dansko’s famous rocker bottom, roomy toe box, and plenty of arch support.
Stride Rite’s Sensory Response technology™ (SRT™) Collection. SRT™ is the result of the most in-depth testing and extensive research into the movements and muscle patterns of children's feet. The groundbreaking Sensory Response Technology™ optimizes the biomechanics of the foot to allow children to develop healthy and natural walking patterns through sensing and gripping the ground beneath them while being able to keep their balance, hence reducing the number of stumbles and falls.
Tsukihoshi Children's Footwear. Since 1873, Tsukihoshi has been perfecting a line of children’s shoes that focuses on the health, protection, and comfort of children’s feet. In addition to the molded cup insole and light, flexible outer sole of this shoe, it is also machine washable, has an anti-bacterial insole, and is designed to provide support and promote proper foot development.
For more information on children’s footwear and foot care products with the APMA Seal, visit www.apma.org/pediatricfootproducts. For general foot health information, visit www.apma.org.
Founded in 1912, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is the nation's leading and recognized professional organization for doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs). DPMs are podiatric physicians and surgeons, also known as podiatrists, qualified by their education, training and experience to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and structures of the leg. The medical education and training of a DPM includes four years of undergraduate education, four years of graduate education at an accredited podiatric medical college and two or three years of hospital residency training. APMA has 53 state component locations across the United States and its territories, with a membership of close to 12,000 podiatrists. All practicing APMA members are licensed by the state in which they practice podiatric medicine. For more information, visit www.apma.org.
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