Body Fat and Muscle Mass in Association with Foot Structure in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Justyna Wyszyńska,Joanna Baran,Maciej Rachwał,Justyna Leszczak,Katarzyna Dereń,Justyna Podgórska-Bednarz,Ewelina Czenczek-Lewandowska,Justyna Drzał-Grabiec

doi:10.3390/ijerph17030811

Justyna Wyszyńska, Joanna Baran + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030811

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Abstract

Prior studies have investigated associations between body mass index (BMI) and foot structure; however, these studies are limited only to the evaluation of the longitudinal arch of the foot and do not evaluate associations with body composition. Therefore, this study examined associations between body fat percentage (BFP) and muscle mass percentage with foot structure in adolescents. This study was conducted with 158 healthy subjects aged from 11 to 13 years. Body fat percentage and muscle mass percentage were estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. A podoscope was used to calculate Clarke’s angle (CL), the Wejsflog index (WI), hallux valgus angle (ALPHA), and the angle of the varus deformity of the fifth toe (BETA). Lower values of CL were found in participants with excessive BFP (p = 0.021). No differences were observed in the values of the Wejsflog, ALFA or BETA indices between normal and excessive BFP groups. Participants with the lowest muscle mass percentage were significantly more likely to have lower values of CL and WI (p = 0.014 and p < 0.001, respectively). Excess BFP appeared to have a significant effect on the longitudinal arch and low muscle mass percentage on the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot in adolescents. There was no association between fat and muscle content with positions of the big and fifth toes.

Highlights

Over the past decades, the number of overweight and obese children has risen worldwide [1].Orthopaedic complications related to obesity include musculoskeletal pain and discomfort, fractures, Blount’s disease, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, and both valgus and varus lower extremity misalignment [2]; the most frequent condition seems to be flatfoot [3].Numerous studies have demonstrated that excessive body mass determined by body mass index (BMI), not body composition, has a negative effect on foot shape [4,5,6,7,8]
The aim of this study was to determine the association between body fat percentage (BFP) and muscle mass percentage with foot structure in adolescents aged from 11 to 13
294 were excluded from the study for the following reasons: an age of less than 11 or greater than 13 years (n = 252), a functional state that did not allow for self-maintenance of a standing position (n = 2), previous orthopaedic surgery (n = 4), contraindications to perform bioelectrical impedance analysis (n = 2), taking medication affecting body composition (n = 3), refusal to participate in the study on the day of examinations (n = 6) and absence on the day of the examinations (n = 25)

Summary

Introduction

The number of overweight and obese children has risen worldwide [1]. Numerous studies have demonstrated that excessive body mass determined by body mass index (BMI), not body composition, has a negative effect on foot shape [4,5,6,7,8]. Other studies indicated that there is no association between increased body mass and foot posture in children [9,10,11]. Individuals with increased BMI are not always obese in terms of body composition [12], and BMI is not a direct measure of body fat [13]. Individuals can have normal body weight and, at the same time, excess body fat [14]

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