[Analysis of plantar pressure patterns among obese population].

Introduction: Although the role of body weight on foot health and load has been widely documented in research, the effect of the extra load due to body weight on plantar pressure characteristics is not well known.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of obesity on plantar pressure patterns among the working-age population.

Method: 180 participants were involved. Two groups were evaluated according to body mass index categories regarding eight regions of the plantar area, focusing on the following parameters: contact area, maximum pressure and peak pressure.

Results: Compared with non-obese subjects, the peak pressure was the highest on the midfoot (p<0.001) and the forefoot (p<0.001). Regarding the maximum force, significant statistical difference was detected on the toes (p<0.001), with a value lower among the obese group. The contact area on the total foot and the midfoot was lower among the non-obese subjects (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Loading is greatly increasing on the whole plantar area, especially at the midfoot and the forefoot region. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(48), 1919-1925.