title: Effects of weight loss on foot structure and function in obese adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of weight reduction on foot structure, gait, and dynamic plantar loading in obese adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 3-month randomized-controlled trial, participants were randomized to receive either a weight loss intervention based on portion-controlled meals or a delayed-treatment control.
  
  
  METHODS
  41 adults (32 F, 9 M) with a mean ± SD age of 56.2 ± 4.7 years and a BMI of 35.9 ± 4.2 kg/m(2).
  
  
  METHODS
  Arch Height Index (AHI), Malleolar Valgus Index (MVI), spatial and temporal gait parameters, plantar peak pressure (PP) and weight were measured at baseline, 3, and 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention group experienced significantly greater weight loss than did the control group (5.9 ± 4.0 kg versus 1.9 ± 3.2 kg, p = 0.001) after 3 months. There were no differences between the groups in anatomical foot structure or gait. However, the treatment group showed a significantly reduced PP than the control group beneath the lateral arch and the metatarsals 4 (all p values < .05) at 3 months. The change in PP correlated significantly with the change in weight at the metatarsal 2 (r = 0.57, p = 0.0219), metatarsal 3 (r = 0.56, p = 0.0064) and the medial arch (r = 0.26, p < 0.0001) at 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was the first RCT designed to assess the effects of weight loss on foot structure, gait, and plantar loading in obese adults. Even a modest weight loss significantly reduced the dynamic plantar loading in obese adults. However, weight loss appeared to have no effects on foot structure and gait.
authors.affiliation: Gait Study Center, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, 148 N 8th St., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2496, United States. Electronic address: jsong@temple.edu.
authors.forename: Jinsup
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Gait Study Center, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, 148 N 8th St., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2496, United States.
authors.forename: Reagan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.affiliation: Gait Study Center, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, 148 N 8th St., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2496, United States.
authors.forename: Dana N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Tango
authors.affiliation: Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University School of Medicine, 3223 N. Broad Street, Suite 175, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States.
authors.forename: Stephanie S Vander
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Veur
authors.affiliation: Gait Study Center, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, 148 N 8th St., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2496, United States.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Furmato
authors.affiliation: Biostatistical Support Research Center, Temple University, College of Health Professions and Social Work, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 939 Ritter Annex, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Komaroff
authors.affiliation: Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University School of Medicine, 3223 N. Broad Street, Suite 175, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States.
authors.forename: Gary D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Dynamic plantar pressure; Foot biomechanics; Gait; Obesity; Weight loss