People who have a body mass index higher than 30 are labeled as obese. And obesity is thought to go hand in hand with some foot conditions such as tendonitis, arthritis, heel pain, and other conditions that result from the stress of excess weight placed on the ankles and feet. Today Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen of greater Philadelphia’s Your Next Step Foot and Ankle Care Center are sharing some problems that can affect your feet if your weight is higher than it should be.

Individuals who are obese are at higher risk for type-2 diabetes, and this often leads to the development of other foot disorders. Dropping some weight can often help decrease excess pressure on the ankles and feet but exercising can be challenging when you’re experiencing pain in your feet.

How Obesity Affects Your Feet

Because your feet support your entire weight when you are standing, any extra weight can cause swelling and pain. In fact, being overweight is one of the common contributors to foot disorders such as the following.

Diabetes: Overweight individuals are at severe risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which can have an extreme impact on your foot health. As you age, your diabetes might worsen, leading to the loss of feeling in your feet, bruises, and sores. You could also become more at risk for contracting various infections.

Plantar fasciitis: Stress and pressure put on joints, tendons, and muscles can activate plantar fasciitis, which is a swelling of the tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot.

Additional Weight: Even putting on a few extra pounds can create serious problems for your feet. As your weight goes up, your body and balance will shift, and create new stress on your feet. This irregular weight distribution can also cause pain, even while completing the simplest tasks such as walking.

Obesity has certainly become a major problem today and it can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re considered obese and are concerned about your feet, make an appointment with one of the experts at greater Philadelphia’s Your Next Step Foot and Ankle Care Center, so we can evaluate your condition and recommend treatment. Click here to locate the office nearest you.

We can provide treatments for foot conditions that are the result of obesity and help diminish foot pain by prescribing custom orthotics and recommending specific stretches.