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Glasgow Caledonian Uni study finds potential damage on early school starter's feet
29 Jun '05
3 min read
UK based Glasgow Caledonian University confirms 4 out of 5 school starters are wearing shoes that are damaging their feet.
Shocking results released today from a study conducted by the Glasgow Caledonian University reveal 83 per cent of school starters are wearing shoes that are too small, despite the risk of serious, long-term damage associated with ill-fitting shoes.
Released in conjunction with the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SCP) as part of this year's Feet for Life Month, the results indicate parents are unaware of the importance of having their children's shoes fitted correctly, and the permanent injury that can be caused by wearing shoes that are inadequate in length and width.
Consultant Paediatric Podiatrist and lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University Gordon Watt says “many parents grossly underestimate the importance of looking after their child's feet while they are growing.
“Unlike adult feet, children's feet grow. The study showed that children's feet were at serious risk because they were contained in an environment that restricted their growing feet. Children are born with relatively soft and flexible cartilage which gradually converts to bone with age. As they are growing, their feet are vulnerable to injury and deformity due to ill-fitting footwear.”
The Glasgow study is not the only piece of recent research ringing alarm bells about the future health of children's feet.
The SCP's own survey highlights only six per cent of parents check their child's feet when they buy them a new pair of shoes; 23 per cent when they complain of a problem; and a startling further 23 per cent don't check them at all, despite recommendations that they should be checked every 6-8 weeks.
Shocking results released today from a study conducted by the Glasgow Caledonian University reveal 83 per cent of school starters are wearing shoes that are too small, despite the risk of serious, long-term damage associated with ill-fitting shoes.
Released in conjunction with the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SCP) as part of this year's Feet for Life Month, the results indicate parents are unaware of the importance of having their children's shoes fitted correctly, and the permanent injury that can be caused by wearing shoes that are inadequate in length and width.
Consultant Paediatric Podiatrist and lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University Gordon Watt says “many parents grossly underestimate the importance of looking after their child's feet while they are growing.
“Unlike adult feet, children's feet grow. The study showed that children's feet were at serious risk because they were contained in an environment that restricted their growing feet. Children are born with relatively soft and flexible cartilage which gradually converts to bone with age. As they are growing, their feet are vulnerable to injury and deformity due to ill-fitting footwear.”
The Glasgow study is not the only piece of recent research ringing alarm bells about the future health of children's feet.
The SCP's own survey highlights only six per cent of parents check their child's feet when they buy them a new pair of shoes; 23 per cent when they complain of a problem; and a startling further 23 per cent don't check them at all, despite recommendations that they should be checked every 6-8 weeks.
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