Does Excess Mass
Affect Plantar Pressure in
Young Children?
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Mickle et al. evaluated 34 preschool
children (17 control and 17
overweight/obese) to determine the
effects of overweight and obesity on
plantar pressures during gait.
Overweight/obese children had
significantly larger plantar contact
areas and forces when compared to
the non-overweight control group. In
addition, overweight/obese children
had significantly higher peak
pressures, force-time integrals and
pressure-time integrals underneath
the midfoot compared to the control
group. |
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Significance of the
Article
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The larger contact
area in the
overweight/obese
children was not
sufficient to
compensate for the
high forces in the
foot during walking.
This generated
higher midfoot
plantar pressures
which, the authors
postulate, could
result in foot pain,
discomfort, and/or
develop into
musculoskeletal
disorders. The
higher force/time
and pressure/time
integrals in the
midfoot may expose
obese/overweight
children to
increased stress
and, possibly lead
to bony fatigue and
soft tissue damage.
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Significance for
Orthotic Therapy
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Protection of the
midfoot by a semirigid
orthoses may protect the
feet of overweight
children. Orthoses
should be used with
shoes that have a
supportive midsole. This
intervention may lessen
pain during activity,
which is often reported
by obese individuals,
allowing increased
activity and perhaps
more weight control.
Modifications to
pediatric orthoses, such
as a medial flange and
deep heel cup, may
provide a better
distribution of forces
in the overweight child.
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