Everywhere we turn we are reminded of our weight, body type, body image and physical appearance in the media. Stores are filled with fat-free food choices and most body, beauty, and personal hygiene products are geared towards helping people lose weight.
We know that increased weight can affect the cardiovascular system, but how many of us realize that weight gain affects one’s feet? According to the National Institutes of Health, the “BMI or body mass index is a commonly used measure for body fat, it is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of his or her height in meters (kg/m2).”
A normal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9; overweight is defined as a BMI of 25. To 29.9; obesity is defined as a BMI over 30.0; severe obesity is defined as BMI or higher. (“NIH study identifies ideal body mass index, 2015). Seventy to eighty percent of the body’s weight is carried by the feet (Levitz). It reasons that one can imagine the many foot issues that arise from being overweight.
In some cases the weight gain cannot be helped as it is brought upon women due to