OBJECTIVE: Previous research has shown that obese children have thicker plantar fat pads compared to non-obese children. As it is uncertain how this thickness influences dynamic foot function, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between dynamic plantar pressures generated beneath the feet of school-aged children and their medial midfoot fat pad thickness measures. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Height and weight were measured, and BMI calculated, for 252 children aged 6.0-9.9 y (mean ? SD 8.1 ? 1.0 y, 112 boys). Medial midfoot plantar fat pad thickness was quantified using ultrasonography and dynamic plantar pressure distributions were measured using a pressure platform. Data were correlated to establish the strength of the relationships among BMI, plantar fat pad thickness and medial midfoot plantar pressures. RESULTS: Both medial midfoot plantar fat pad thickness and medial midfoot plantar pressure were significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.401, P < 0.001 and r = 0.465, P < 0.001, respectively). Although medial midfoot plantar pressure significantly correlated with midfoot plantar fat pad thickness during non-weight bearing (r = 0.294, P < 0.001) and weight bearing (r = 0.289, P < 0.001), the strength of the relationships was low. CONCLUSION: Additional medial midfoot fat padding in obese school-aged children appears to reflect their excess body mass rather than an adaptation to cushion pressures associated with this increased body mass. Further investigation is required to identify probable short- and long-term functional limitations resulting from increased pressures generated beneath the feet of obese children when walking.
OBJECTIVE: Previous research has shown that obesechildren have thicker plantar fat pads compared to non-obesechildren. As it is uncertain how this thickness influences dynamic foot function, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between dynamic plantar pressures generated beneath the feet of school-aged children and their medial midfoot fat pad thickness measures. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Height and weight were measured, and BMI calculated, for 252 children aged 6.0-9.9 y (mean ? SD 8.1 ? 1.0 y, 112 boys). Medial midfoot plantar fat pad thickness was quantified using ultrasonography and dynamic plantar pressure distributions were measured using a pressure platform. Data were correlated to establish the strength of the relationships among BMI, plantar fat pad thickness and medial midfoot plantar pressures. RESULTS: Both medial midfoot plantar fat pad thickness and medial midfoot plantar pressure were significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.401, P < 0.001 and r = 0.465, P < 0.001, respectively). Although medial midfoot plantar pressure significantly correlated with midfoot plantar fat pad thickness during non-weight bearing (r = 0.294, P < 0.001) and weight bearing (r = 0.289, P < 0.001), the strength of the relationships was low. CONCLUSION: Additional medial midfoot fat padding in obese school-aged children appears to reflect their excess body mass rather than an adaptation to cushion pressures associated with this increased body mass. Further investigation is required to identify probable short- and long-term functional limitations resulting from increased pressures generated beneath the feet of obesechildren when walking.
Authors: Liliana Catan; Elena Amaricai; Roxana Ramona Onofrei; Calin Marius Popoiu; Emil Radu Iacob; Corina Maria Stanciulescu; Simona Cerbu; Delia Ioana Horhat; Oana Suciu Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-09-10 Impact factor: 3.390