Consequences of foot binding among older women in Beijing, China.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the prevalence and consequences of foot binding in older Chinese women.


METHODS
Women older than 70 years in Beijing, China, were assessed for bound feet, falls, functional status, and bone density.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight percent of women aged 80 years and older and 18% of women aged 70 through 79 years had bound-foot deformities. Women with bound feet were more likely to fall, less able to squat, and less able to stand up from a chair without assistance than women with normal feet. They also had 14.3% less functional reach (a test of balance) and 5.1% lower hip bone density.


CONCLUSIONS
Foot binding has caused substantial disability that is still evident in many elderly Chinese women.
Cummings
S R
SR
Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Ling
X
X
Stone
K
K
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005531:Foot Deformities, Acquired / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D015995:Prevalence; D011897:Random Allocation; D014505:Urban Population