Article

There is evidence to suggest being overweight or obese places adults at greater
risk of developing foot complications such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis and
plantar fasciitis. However, no research has comprehensively examined the effects
of overweight or obesity on the feet of individuals older than 60 years of age.
Therefore we investigated whether foot pain, foot structure, and/or foot function
is affected by obesity in older adults. Three hundred and twelve Australian men
and women, aged over 60 years, completed validated questionnaires to establish
the presence of foot pain and health related quality of life. Foot structure
(anthropometrics and soft tissue thickness) and foot function (ankle dorsiflexion
strength and flexibility, toe flexor strength, plantar pressures and
spatiotemporal gait parameters) were also measured. Obese participants (BMI >30)
were compared to those who were overweight (BMI=25-30) and not overweight (BMI
<25). Obese participants were found to have a significantly higher prevalence of
foot pain and scored significantly lower on the SF-36. Obesity was also
associated with foot-related functional limitation whereby ankle dorsiflexion
strength, hallux and lesser toe strength, stride/step length and walking speed
were significantly reduced in obese participants compared to their leaner
counterparts. Therefore, disabling foot pain and altered foot structure and foot
function are consequences of obesity for older adults, and impact upon their
quality of life. Interventions designed to reduce excess fat mass may relieve
loading of the foot structures and, in turn, improve foot pain and quality of
life for older obese individuals.
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