Comparative foot dimensions in Filipino rural children and Tokyo children.

The height, weight, chest circumference and foot size (length, breadth and circumference) were compared in Isabela (Philippines) and Tokyo (Japan) children in 1985. The Isabela subjects were 350 girls from 7 to 15 years of age, and 396 boys from 7 to 16 years of age. In Tokyo, the subjects were 191 girls and 186 boys, both from 7 to 18 years of age. The following results were obtained: (1) the Isabela children were significantly smaller in height and chest circumference, and lighter in weight than the Tokyo children; (2) there was no difference between Isabela and Tokyo children in foot breadth and circumference; (3) there was a protuberance of the first metatarso-phalanx joint in 4.5% of the Guibang village children in Isabela, but in none of the Tokyo children.