Abstract

Objective
To evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and foot parameters. Method: We examined 1,107 feet of 872 volunteers (male: 325, female: 547) with 3D foot scanner (Nexcan^Ⱂ, K & I, Korea). The relations of BMI and foot parameters were analyzed by partial correlation analysis with adjusted height. We classified subjects into 4 groups by BMI; low-weight (＜18.5 kg/m²), normal-weight (18.5∼22.9 kg/m²), over- weight (23.0∼24.9 kg/m²) and obesity (＞25 kg/m²) group. The relations of these groups and foot parameters were analyzed by univariate ANOVA with fixed height. Results: Instep point length, ball width and girth, waist, instep height and girth, and vamp height showed a positive relation to BMI (p＜0.01). However, foot parameters related to longitudinal length and medial longitudinal arch had no significant relation to BMI (p＜0.01). Ball width and girth, waist, instep height and girth, vamp height were significantly highest in obesity group compared to the other groups (p＜0.05). However, foot parameters related to longitudinal length and medial longitudinal arch showed no significant difference between these 4 groups (p＞0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that BMI was positively related to height, width, girth of foot. But, BMI had no significant relation to length of foot, and medial longitudinal arch. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2004; 28: 606-612)

• Keywords: Foot parameters, 3D foot scan, Obesity, Body mass index