DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i06.018

Pages: 2117-2122

Obesity enforces additional loading on the loco-motor system, thereby unduly raising stress within connective-tissue structures and the potential for foot and ankle problems. Increased weight on the feet significantly increases contact areas, with increased pressure on these areas leading to increased foot problems such as pain, deformity and reduced joint mobility and reduction in foot function. This cross-sectional study examines the relation between obesity and self-reported pain in adults between age group 18-25 years in the five institutes of MGM campus, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai (N = 100). Demographic variables such as age, height and weight were recorded of participants having foot pain and their BMI was calculated. The relationship between Body Mass Index and allthe four domains of the FHSQ were investigated using Pearson’s Correlation in SPSS software, version 16. We found statistically significant positive correlation between body mass index and foot pain (p=0.82), foot function (p=0.63), foot wear (p=0.59) and foot health (p=0.30). The prevalence of obesity is high in females than males. This study showed that an increase in body weight has a significant effect on the level of foot pain, normal foot function, the adequate fit of footwear, and general foot health as determined by the FHSQ. Our study demonstrated that foot pain, foot structure, and foot function are compromised by excess mass in young adults which resulted in functional limitations and a reduction in health-related quality of life, particularly in young adults classified as overweight and obese.