Can Back-To-School Footwear Combat Obesity? The APMA Thinks So!
The American Podiatric Medical Association, says that healthy shoes should be the top of your “must-buy” list this season. Not just for fashionable reasons, but for health reasons. According to the APMA, well-fitting shoes not only reduce the instance of foot and ankle injuries in kids, they also encourage physical activity, helping to decrease the likelihood of childhood obesity.
“If a child’s feet hurt, they will be far less likely to participate in outdoor sports and other activities that keep them moving and physically fit,” said APMA President Kathleen M. Stone, DPM. “With childhood obesity considered an epidemic today, it is vital that parents take just a few moments during this busy back-to-school shopping season to select a shoe that provides adequate support and fits properly. It is one of the easiest ways to keep a child pain-free and healthy.”
With First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign continuing to bring the childhood obesity fight into the public eye, parents are encouraged more than ever to only purchase foot-friendly shoes that keep a child’s feet safe at home and on the playground.
Shopping for shoes that fit right and are healthy for your child’s feet, can be a daunting task for those who don’t know what to look for. The APMA has put together the following tips to make back-to-school shopping easy and smart:
- Before buying a shoe, perform the “1,2,3 Test.” First, squeeze the back of a shoe’s heel and ensure that it does not collapse. Second, grab the front (toe box) of the shoe and make sure that the shoe bends where the child’s toes would naturally bend in the shoe. Third, grab the shoe at both ends and try to gently twist. Shoes should never twist in the middle and should be rigid. If a shoe fails any of these three steps, it should not be purchased.
- Look for the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance. Many products, including select children’s footwear models made by Pediped, Reebok and Tsukihoshi, have been awarded the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance for demonstrating proper foot health. Look for the APMA Seal on product packaging or a manufacturer’s website.
- Never hand down footwear. Sharing shoes can spread fungus such as athlete’s foot, and regardless of shoe size, shoes that are previously worn can cause problems.
- Have a child’s foot measured regularly. Most shoe stores will be happy to measure a child’s foot. Children should also receive a foot health check-up from a podiatrist that includes a foot measurement to ensure proper fit. Since shoe sizes may not be consistent from one manufacturer to the next, use size only as a guide, making sure the shoe is comfortable on the child’s foot.
- No “break-in” period required. Your child’s shoes should be comfortable to wear immediately and should not require a break-in period for comfort.
For more back-to-school shoe shopping tips, visit www.apma.org/kids-shoes, or for additional info on children’s footwear with the APMA Seal, visit www.apma.org/pediatricfootproducts.
Photo Credit: APMA