Feet Are Feeling The Strain

We've all seen the reports in the news that being overweight can be bad for your overall health but many people fail to recognise that being overweight can play havoc with your feet. Problems that can occur include flat feet, which may lead to a lifetime requiring arch supports.

The problems are more likely to appear the more overweight a person is. Chiropodists suggest that our feet are only meant to carry an average weight of around 90 kilos, which is just over 14 stones. Any extra weight added to the top end of that is going to put a strain on the ligaments, tendons and bones of the feet.

The bad news is that even relatively small levels of excess weight can result in problems for the feet, with the extra pressure from the weight intensifying any existing pain. Many adults and children in the UK are tipping the scales at weights that would be considered anything from slightly overweight to obese. The problems excess weight can cause to feet include:-

Inflamed Tendons - this is particularly common in women and causes pain in the tendon that is found along the inner ankle that supports the arches of the feet.

Flat feet - overweight children are at particular risk of developing flat feet and may need long term arch supports as a result. As it develops, flat feet can cause the ankles and legs to be incorrectly aligned which results in pain in the feet and legs.

Plantar fasciitis - this causes sore heels and occurs when the connective tissue of the foot becomes inflamed. It is common in people who have to stand all day at work.

To avoid unnecessary pain, arch supports or repeated trips to a podiatrist or physiotherapist, it would seem that watching one's weight is as important to our feet as it is to other areas of our health.