While obesity affects your overall health, it significantly impacts your feet, too. That’s right, carrying those few extra pounds can cause problems for the feet. The excess weight on the tendons and arches can lead to discomfort and pain, especially in the heels. This can be a sign of plantar fasciitis, a painful condition caused by the extra weight the heels must bear. The extra body weight may also affect the foot anatomy, which can cause flat feet.

A healthy diet, weight management, and regular exercise are critical for mitigating these effects. Wearing good, supportive, properly fitting footwear and orthotics can also help you look after your feet.

Let’s look into the two most common foot problems associated with obesity

Diabetes – People who are obese have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which can negatively affect the feet. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause numbness, loss of sensation in the legs and feet, and even amputation. Patients may also become more prone to infections.

Plantar Fasciitis – Too much stress and pressure on the joints, tendons, and muscles can bring about plantar fasciitis. This strain causes the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs from your heel bone to the ball of your foot, to become swollen and inflamed, leading to heel and arch pain.

Being overweight or obese can hurt your feet. If you are struggling with obesity and are concerned about how it affects your feet, it is crucial to seek professional help. A podiatrist can thoroughly assess your feet, diagnose any existing issues, and recommend the best course of treatment.

At Bay Podiatry Associates, Dr. Argirios Mantzoukas, our board-certified podiatrist, treats a variety of conditions such as ankle sprains, diabetic wounds, bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, nerve pain, plantar warts, dry skin, and calluses. We provide excellent service for patients in the Bath Beach, Kings County section of South Brooklyn. Contact our office at 718-266-1986. Our office is at 8635 21st Avenue, Suite 1C, Brooklyn, NY, 11217. We look forward to learning how we can be of service to you.