title: The impact of foot arch height on quality of life in 6-12 year olds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether arch height has an effect on the health-related quality of life of schoolchildren.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirteen schoolchildren attended an out-patient centre where self-reported data were recorded, their feet were classified into one of three groups according to their arch index (high, normal or low) and the scores obtained from the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ - Spanish version) were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The groups with high, low and normal arch recorded lower scores in Section One for the general foot health and footwear domains and higher scores in foot pain and foot function. In Section Two they obtained lower scores in general health and higher scores in physical activity, social capacity and vigour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparison of the scores obtained reveals that arch height has a negative impact on quality of life. Given the limited extent of available evidence in respect of the aetiology and treatment of foot diseases and deformities, these findings reveal the need to implement programmes to promote foot health and carry out further research into this commonly occurring disabling condition.
authors.affiliation: Unidade Investigación Saúde e Podoloxía. Departamento de Ciencias da Saúde. Facultade de Enfermaría e Podoloxía. Universidade da Coruña, España.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: López López
authors.affiliation: Unidade Investigación Saúde e Podoloxía. Departamento de Ciencias da Saúde. Facultade de Enfermaría e Podoloxía. Universidade da Coruña, España.
authors.forename: M de Los Ángeles
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Bouza Prego
authors.affiliation: Unidade Investigación Saúde e Podoloxía. Departamento de Ciencias da Saúde. Facultade de Enfermaría e Podoloxía. Universidade da Coruña, España.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Requeijo Constenla
authors.affiliation: Unidade Investigación Saúde e Podoloxía. Departamento de Ciencias da Saúde. Facultade de Enfermaría e Podoloxía. Universidade da Coruña, España.
authors.forename: Jesús Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Saleta Canosa
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pediatría. Facultad de Medicina y Odontología. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. España.
authors.forename: Adolfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bautista Casasnovas
authors.affiliation: Unidade Investigación Saúde e Podoloxía. Departamento de Ciencias da Saúde. Facultade de Enfermaría e Podoloxía. Universidade da Coruña, España.
authors.forename: Francisco Alonso
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Tajes
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005528:Foot / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005530:Foot Deformities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Child care; Child welfare; flat foot; foot deformities; foot disease; school health services