Being overweight can have a significant effect on your overall health. One of the most overlooked ways your weight can undermine your well-being is how it impacts your feet each day.
Your feet are designed to support your body's weight, but only to a certain point. If you’re obese or overweight, you risk putting excessive strain on your feet, resulting in a range of foot problems that can cause pain, impair mobility, and limit your quality of life.
At Intermountain Foot & Ankle Associates in Colorado Springs, Colorado, we understand that chronic foot pain can prevent you from living an active and healthy life. This is why Dr. Kerry Berg provides expert foot and ankle care for people with ongoing foot problems.
Read on to find out how your weight can impact your foot health, and learn what you can do to remedy the issue.
There are many ways in which being overweight or obese can affect your foot health. Some of the most common include:
The human foot is designed to hold your weight and provide adequate support for the rest of your body. With every step you take, pressure is evenly distributed across your foot. Being overweight causes an uneven distribution of pressure across your foot that can give rise to structural imbalances, ongoing inflammation, and pain.
Foot injuries can occur with anyone. However, you’re more prone to developing foot injuries like fractures and sprains if your feet support excess weight. It creates increased pressure on the muscles and tendons in your feet, leaving them more vulnerable to sustaining microscopic tears or becoming overstretched.
For most people, the foot has a natural arch that prevents your foot from coming into complete contact with the ground. Fallen arches (flat foot) is a condition that causes this natural arch in your foot to collapse.
While some people are born with the condition, it's possible to develop fallen arches if you’re obese or overweight. The excess weight strains your arch, causing it to become flat. Flat feet can cause significant arch and heel pain.
The key to preventing weight-related foot problems is maintaining a healthy body weight. Not only is this crucial for protecting your feet and ankles, but it also protects other weight-bearing joints (knees, hips), improves overall health, and prevents other chronic conditions associated with excessive weight.
If you’re overweight, eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise can help reduce the pain and pressure on your feet. Regular exercise also helps strengthen the muscles in your feet.
Before you start taking more walks, however, it's essential to invest in proper footwear. Wearing shoes that fit well and provide your feet with adequate support can help relieve foot pain and prevent foot problems.
A healthy body weight equals healthy feet. Excess weight can cause pain, pressure, and other foot problems that limit your quality of life. If you've been experiencing foot problems, call or click online to schedule a visit with Dr. Berg at Intermountain Foot & Ankle Associates in Colorado Springs, Colorado, today.
