Foot dimensions and morphology in healthy weight, overweight and obese males

• Obese adults perceive themselves to have poor foot health and experience foot pain.
• Anatomical and cross-sectional methods were used to quantify foot morphology.
• Obese feet differ significantly from those of healthy adults, particularly in width.
• Anatomical measures are not precise enough to differentiate different groups feet.

BackgroundOverweight and obesity are increasing in prevalence. However, despite reports of poor foot health, the influence of obesity and overweight on adult foot morphology has received limited attention. The objective of this work is to accurately and appropriately quantify the foot morphology of adults who are overweight and obese.MethodsThe foot morphology of 23 healthy weight (BMI = 22.9 kg.m− 2), overweight (27.5 kg.m− 2) and obese (32.9 kg.m− 2) age (60 years) matched males was quantified using a 3D scanner (all size UK 9). Data analysis computed normalised (to foot length) standard anatomical measures, and widths, heights and circumferences of 31 evenly spaced cross-sections of right feet.FindingsAnatomical measures of foot, ball and heel width, ball and heel circumference and ball height were all greater in the obese group than the healthy weight (P < 0.05). Cross-sectional measures were significantly wider than the healthy group for the majority of measures from 14 to 67% (P = 0.025–1.000) of heel-to-toe length. Also, the obese group had significantly higher midfoot regions (P = 0.024–0.025). This increased foot height was not evident from anatomical measures, which were not sensitive enough to detect dimensional differences in this foot region.InterpretationFeet of obese adults differ from healthy and overweight individuals, notably they are wider. Data needs to avoid reliance upon discrete anatomical landmarks to describe foot morphology. In the obese, changes in foot shape do not coincide with traditional anatomical landmarks and more comprehensive foot shape data are required to inform footwear design.