This is How Extra Weight Impacts Children’s Feet

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, so we want to help you understand how this condition affects children’s feet. Unfortunately, carrying extra weight can affect kid’s health in a variety of ways. Some impact development. Other times, obesity may contribute to stress and strain on your child’s feet. Either way, we can help manage your child’s symptoms while we work toward overall health improvements.

1. Flat Feet and Heel Pain
   Obesity puts extra pressure on children’s feet and that can lead to collapsed arches, or flat feet. In turn, activity tugs more at the connective tissue that runs along the bottom of our feet. (It’s called the plantar fascia.) Eventually, if things don’t improve, your child may develop chronic heel pain, or plantar fasciitis.

2. Stress Fractures
   One pound of excess weight can add up to eight pounds of additional pressure on children’s feet and ankles. All that pressure increases the risk for overuse injuries such as the hairline cracks of stress fractures.

Maintaining Kids’ Foot Health at Any Weight

Helping kids lose weight can be challenging. Staying active and making healthy food choices is the best way. But if your child’s feet already hurt, exercise may be painful and that’s where your Westfield, IN podiatrist can help.

First, we can fit your child with  orthotics.  These can help relieve foot pain by correcting the child’s foot alignment, while minimizing pressure on their feet. Then, we can choose supportive, well-fitted athletic shoes.

The right shoe for your child should feel comfortable on the very first try. It should never feel tight or very loose on the feet. (There should be room for toe wiggling, but not much more than that.)

Finally, even with orthotics and great shoes, always watch your child for signs of foot pain or an injury. Anything from avoiding favorite activities to changes in walking pattern could mean there’s a problem. So, if you notice these warning signs, schedule an appointment with Dr. David Sullivan right away. He can help support your child’s feet so they can stay active and comfortable.