Body weight and the medial longitudinal foot arch: high-arched foot, a hidden problem?
This study had two objectives. First, to determine the prevalence of hollow (high-arched) and flat foot among primary school children in Cracow (Poland). Second, to evaluate the relationship between the type of medial longitudinal arch (MLA; determined by the Clarke's angle) and degree of fatness. The prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity was determined by means of IOTF cut-offs with respect to age and gender. A sample of 1,115 children (564 boys and 551 girls) aged between 3 and 13 years was analyzed. In all age groups, regardless of gender, high-arched foot was diagnosed in the majority of children. A distinct increase in the number of children with high-arched foot was observed between 7- and 8-year olds. Regardless of the gender, high-arched foot was more common among underweight children. In the group of obese children, the biggest differences were attributed to gender. High-arched foot was the most frequently observed among boys. In all gender and obesity level groups, the flat foot was more common among boys than among girls.


CONCLUSIONS
High-arched foot is the most common foot defect among children 3-13 years old regardless of gender. Flat foot is least frequently observed in children 3-13 years old. A statistic correlation between MLA and adiposity is observed. Stronger correlation is observed among girls.
Department of Anatomy, University of Physical Education, Al. Jana Pawła II 78, 31-571 Cracow, Poland. renatawozniacka@wp.pl
R
R
Woźniacka
A
A
Bac
S
S
Matusik
E
E
Szczygieł
E
E
Ciszek
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005528:Foot; D005530:Foot Deformities / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012574:Schools; D013851:Thinness / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*