Proper shoe sizes for Thai elderly

Area of Science:

• Anthropometry
• Podiatry
• Gerontology

Background:

• Improper shoe fitting is a common issue, particularly impacting the older Thai population due to a lack of specific foot data.
• Existing research has not adequately addressed the unique foot dimensions and fitting needs of elderly individuals in Thailand.

Purpose of the Study:

• To collect comprehensive foot anthropometric data for Thai elderly individuals.
• To establish guidelines for determining appropriate shoe sizes for this demographic.
• To address the prevalence of foot problems associated with inadequate footwear in older Thai adults.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 108 men and 105 women aged 60-80 years, all capable of independent walking.
• Measured thirteen distinct foot dimensions and recorded current shoe usage.
• Analyzed data for gender differences, side-to-side variations, and correlations between key foot measurements.

Main Results:

• Approximately 50% of women and 34% of men were found to be wearing shoes that were too narrow, correlating with reported foot pain.
• Men exhibited larger foot width and toe depth compared to women at equivalent foot lengths.
• Established regression formulas for foot width and arch length based on foot length for both genders, with high statistical significance.

Conclusions:

• The collected anthropometric data is vital for ensuring proper shoe fit among older Thai people.
• Accurate shoe sizing based on these findings can enhance foot ergonomics.
• Implementing these recommendations will help prevent common foot problems in the elderly Thai population.