Prevalence of flatfoot and analysis of plantar pressure distribution in adolescents based on body mass index: a regional study

Abstract Background The foot is an essential organ for human locomotion. Assessment of plantar pressure distribution could provide key clinical information on foot functions. However, the mechanism that links body mass index to injury is not clear. The aims of this study were (1) to analyze the feat...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jiangtao Shen, Ji Liu, Feng Liang, Xiaohui Liu, Mingzhu Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05365-9
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850102924026314752
author Jiangtao Shen
Ji Liu
Feng Liang
Xiaohui Liu
Mingzhu Zhang
author_facet Jiangtao Shen
Ji Liu
Feng Liang
Xiaohui Liu
Mingzhu Zhang
author_sort Jiangtao Shen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The foot is an essential organ for human locomotion. Assessment of plantar pressure distribution could provide key clinical information on foot functions. However, the mechanism that links body mass index to injury is not clear. The aims of this study were (1) to analyze the feature of plantar pressure distribution in Chinese adolescents and (2) to estimate the prevalence of flatfoot. Methods 1,217 participants aged 17–23 years (756 males and 461 females) were enrolled in this study. Static and dynamic foot-related variables, including contact area and plantar pressure, were measured. Based on BMI, participants were stratified into three groups: the underweight group (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), the norm weight group (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2), and the overweight group (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the three different BMI groups. Results Overall, BMI had an impact on the contact area and plantar pressure at the 2nd to 4th metatarsal, 5th metatarsal, midfoot, and lateral heel, with greater pressure in these areas in the dynamic state. In particular, when shifting from the static phase to the dynamic phase, the plantar pressure of the forefoot shifted laterally. Moreover, the contact area, and plantar pressure at 2nd to 4th metatarsal, 5th metatarsal, middle foot, and lateral heel pressures were positively correlated with BMI. Among the 1217 participants, 67 adolescents were diagnosed with flatfoot. Conclusions This study confirms that BMI does influence plantar pressures and that each BMI classification displays unique plantar pressure characteristics in Chinese adolescents.
format Article
id doaj-art-81812287ff9e4f8484b465296478a58c
institution DOAJ
issn 1749-799X
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
spelling doaj-art-81812287ff9e4f8484b465296478a58c2025-08-20T02:39:39ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2024-12-011911910.1186/s13018-024-05365-9Prevalence of flatfoot and analysis of plantar pressure distribution in adolescents based on body mass index: a regional studyJiangtao Shen0Ji Liu1Feng Liang2Xiaohui Liu3Mingzhu Zhang4Foot and Ankle Surgery Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityFoot and Ankle Surgery Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityAbstract Background The foot is an essential organ for human locomotion. Assessment of plantar pressure distribution could provide key clinical information on foot functions. However, the mechanism that links body mass index to injury is not clear. The aims of this study were (1) to analyze the feature of plantar pressure distribution in Chinese adolescents and (2) to estimate the prevalence of flatfoot. Methods 1,217 participants aged 17–23 years (756 males and 461 females) were enrolled in this study. Static and dynamic foot-related variables, including contact area and plantar pressure, were measured. Based on BMI, participants were stratified into three groups: the underweight group (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), the norm weight group (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2), and the overweight group (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the three different BMI groups. Results Overall, BMI had an impact on the contact area and plantar pressure at the 2nd to 4th metatarsal, 5th metatarsal, midfoot, and lateral heel, with greater pressure in these areas in the dynamic state. In particular, when shifting from the static phase to the dynamic phase, the plantar pressure of the forefoot shifted laterally. Moreover, the contact area, and plantar pressure at 2nd to 4th metatarsal, 5th metatarsal, middle foot, and lateral heel pressures were positively correlated with BMI. Among the 1217 participants, 67 adolescents were diagnosed with flatfoot. Conclusions This study confirms that BMI does influence plantar pressures and that each BMI classification displays unique plantar pressure characteristics in Chinese adolescents.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05365-9Plantar pressure distributionadolescentsbody mass indexprevalence of flatfoot
spellingShingle Jiangtao Shen
Ji Liu
Feng Liang
Xiaohui Liu
Mingzhu Zhang
Prevalence of flatfoot and analysis of plantar pressure distribution in adolescents based on body mass index: a regional study
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Plantar pressure distribution
adolescents
body mass index
prevalence of flatfoot
title Prevalence of flatfoot and analysis of plantar pressure distribution in adolescents based on body mass index: a regional study
title_full Prevalence of flatfoot and analysis of plantar pressure distribution in adolescents based on body mass index: a regional study
title_fullStr Prevalence of flatfoot and analysis of plantar pressure distribution in adolescents based on body mass index: a regional study
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of flatfoot and analysis of plantar pressure distribution in adolescents based on body mass index: a regional study
title_short Prevalence of flatfoot and analysis of plantar pressure distribution in adolescents based on body mass index: a regional study
title_sort prevalence of flatfoot and analysis of plantar pressure distribution in adolescents based on body mass index a regional study
topic Plantar pressure distribution
adolescents
body mass index
prevalence of flatfoot
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05365-9
work_keys_str_mv AT jiangtaoshen prevalenceofflatfootandanalysisofplantarpressuredistributioninadolescentsbasedonbodymassindexaregionalstudy
AT jiliu prevalenceofflatfootandanalysisofplantarpressuredistributioninadolescentsbasedonbodymassindexaregionalstudy
AT fengliang prevalenceofflatfootandanalysisofplantarpressuredistributioninadolescentsbasedonbodymassindexaregionalstudy
AT xiaohuiliu prevalenceofflatfootandanalysisofplantarpressuredistributioninadolescentsbasedonbodymassindexaregionalstudy
AT mingzhuzhang prevalenceofflatfootandanalysisofplantarpressuredistributioninadolescentsbasedonbodymassindexaregionalstudy