Abstract
Age is a key factor in plantar pressure distributions during the development of obese children. However, the existing evidence for age-related plantar pressures of obese children is not sufficient to make clear how the plantar pressures would change with the increasing age. This study aimed to evaluate the plantar pressure redistributions of obese children after a three-year follow-up and to further compare these changes with normal-weighted children. Ten obese children and eleven normal-weighted counterparts were involved in this study. Plantar pressure measurements were undertaken using a Footscan® plantar pressure plate on two test sessions three years apart. Peak pressure, pressure-time integral, standard maximum force, and z-scores of these variables were analyzed. Loading transference analyses were applied to detect the different loading transferring mechanisms between obese and normal-weighted children. Significantly increased plantar pressures were observed at the lateral forefoot and midfoot for obese children, which gradually deviated from those of normal-weighted children over the 3 years. With the increasing age, obese children displayed a lateral loading shift at the forefoot in contrast to the normal-weighted. Early interventions are cautiously recommended for obese children before the plantar loading deviation gets worse as they grow older.
Highlights
Altered gait patterns and plantar pressures caused by obesity have been a closely followed issue due to its relationship with balance and a higher risk of injuries [1,2,3,4,5]
We evaluated the age-related alteration of plantar pressure distribution in obese children, and in the meantime, we explored the deviation of plantar pressures from normal-weighted children over the session
The results of this study confirmed the age-related plantar pressure redistributions in obese children, with a lateral loading transference observed at the forefoot
Summary
Altered gait patterns and plantar pressures caused by obesity have been a closely followed issue due to its relationship with balance and a higher risk of injuries [1,2,3,4,5]. Excess weight could lead to specific alterations in plantar pressures, especially for children whose musculoskeletal system is immature and developing [6]. Inconsistencies exist, in the effects on plantar pressure caused by obesity, when it comes to different age ranges [7,8,9,10]. The plantar pressure of obese children is higher than that of children with normal weight at the midfoot at the age of 4, whereas at the midfoot and forefoot at 8 years old [10]. Obese children, aged 8–11 years old, generate higher peak pressures at the lateral forefoot, midfoot, and lateral heel compared with the normal-weighted children [9]. With the increasing age, the greatest maximum force tends to shift towards more lateral plantar regions in obese children than in normal-weighted
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
