The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Various Foot Measurements

• Published in: Lecture Notes in Bioengineering
• Main Author: Hanafi M.H.; Anuar N.S.; Arayama M.; Aduayom-Ahego A.; Misnon M.I.; Ismail S.I.
• Format: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85213363234&doi=10.1007%2f978-981-97-4186-1_9&partnerID=40&md5=718e92f768d42cab4b4f59ca84df4bd4

Previous studies have identified the relationship between increased body mass index (BMI) and flat foot. However, limited studies have verified other foot measurements’ relationship with BMI. This study investigated the relationship between BMI and various foot measurements (Total Foot Length, Truncated Foot Length, Foot Width, Ball Width, Heel Width, Instep Height and Arch Height Index). A total of forty-two participants were recruited (male, n = 25; female, n = 17; age = 18 years old and above) for this study. Participant’s foot measurements (both right and left foot) were scanned using a 3-dimensional foot scanner in standing and sitting positions while the BMI was measured using an InBody body composition analyzer. The relationship between BMI and foot measurements was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient (p < 0.05). It was observed that foot measurements during standing and sitting positions are relatively different. Several foot measurements were significantly correlated with BMI, albeit the relationship between these measurements and BMI was either weak or moderately correlated (r = 0.30 to 0.476). The most significant correlation of foot measurement with BMI was the Ball Girth for the right (r = 0.476, p = 0.001) and left foot ((r = 0.447, p = 0.003) during the sitting position. Similarly, the correlation between Ball Girth during standing position for the right and left foot was also significant. Other foot measurements that have produced significant correlations for both feet in sitting and standing positions were Heel Width and Instep Height.It was also observed that foot measurement changes in standing and sitting positions (percentage difference between 0.27% to 13.53%), possibly due to differences in the weight bearings factors on each foot position. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.