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 pregnancy or other health issues; however, some foot issues may arise because of weight gain.
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For example, osteoarthritis is one. Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage that lines the joints starts to wear. Eventually, the bones begin to rub together causing pain. Weight gain is exacerbated by this.
Plantar fasciitis is another. The plantar fascia is the thick connective tissue that supports the bottom of the foot. It attaches from the heel bone (calcaneus) to all of the metatarsals (long bones) of the bottom of the foot. It does not contain elastic fibers; therefore, when it becomes inflamed it is usually because of tight calf muscles, flat feet, and or poor arch support. Pain is characterized by sharp stabbing pain.
According to the National Institutes of Health “plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. Obesity is recognized as a major factor in plantar fascia development, possibly due to increased mechanical loading of the foot due to excess weight.” According to their study after bariatric surgery, 90 percent of the patients noted a reduction in the plantar fasciitis symptoms. We can see that losing weight directly impacts the bottom of the foot and its structures. (J Am Podiatr Med)
Excess uric acid in the body can lead to a gouty attack. When too much uric acid is in the body due to stress, dehydration, medications, especially diuretics, or foods which are high in purines (linked to purine diet) this can lead to precipitation of uric acid in the body in the form of tophi which coalesce in joints in the body.
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The gouty tophi tend to go into areas that are cooler such as the feet and cause pain. The end product of uric acid metabolism are purines which can be found in many foods most of us are unaware of. “The more you weigh, the less efficient your body is at removing uric acid according to Dr. Hyon Choi at Harvard Medical School.
Diabetes can also be linked to gout as well. Unfortunately, people that are overweight produce more insulin. When there is more insulin circulating throughout the body it inhibits uric acid elimination and can lead to gouty attacks. (Choi)
Persons with flatfeet can see exacerbation of symptomology related to weight gain.
Edema (swelling) can cause legs to feel heavy and make it difficult to walk.
Edema is swelling characterized by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissue in the body. This can be a result of a clot in the leg, heart failures or even infection.
Ingrown toenails can be painful, unsightly and cause wearing shoes to be difficult. An ingrown toenail is a nail that digs into the corners of the nail fold. The nail can become so incurvated that it breaks through the skin and can cause infection--a paronychia.
With increased weight, the foot becomes larger, nail folds can become thicker, more adipose tissue develops in the nail folds causing the nail plate to dig into the skin.
In summary, increased weight gain can have many detrimental effects on the feet. Do your best to maintain a healthy weight.
Works Cited:
1. NIH study identifies ideal body mass index. (2015, October 6). Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/news-releases/nih-study-identifies-ideal-body-mass-index
2. “Pressure Analysis of the Foot in the Gait.” Levitz, Stephen J., Sobel, Ellen. (August 2000) page 8.
3. J. Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2018 Nov: 108(6): 442-448
4. How Fat Affects Gout: adding ponds raises uric acid levels and increases risk for flares. (2018, March 16). Retreieved from https://arthritis.org Dr. Hyon Choi.
