Back to School Blues? Wear the Right Shoes!



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Back to School Blues? Wear the
Right Shoes!

August 2007

Getting your kids ready for school? (Seems like the stores were ready right after July 4th!) Here's something important to add to your back-to-school shipping list: properly fitted shoes.

Children's feet are in a continual state of growth, right through the teen years. Choosing the right shoe style and fit can help prevent many foot problems. (Note to students: bunions and hammertoes are NOT cool!)

Here are some pointers when shopping for new shoes:

Choose shoes that have leather uppers, as opposed to man-made materials. Leather "breathes" better than plastic materials. Since most kids have active sweat glands, a leather shoe can help prevent athlete's foot. The tag indicating type of material used is usually located in the tongue area of the shoe.

When buying tennis shoes, a rounded toe area will prevent crowding of the toes.

Make sure that your child is properly fitted for shoes. It is likely that his or her feet have grown since you bought the last pair.

Shop at shoe stores with knowledgeable
sales people who have been trained in measuring feet.

Each year parents should examine their kids' feet.
If you notice an obvious abnormality—an extreme
flat foot, a high-arched foot, an unusual gait, like
in-toeing (a "pigeon-toed" gait)—consult your podiatrist or pediatrician. Children rarely outgrow these deformities.

A final word of advice for parents (but don't tell your kids that a doctor said it was OK): it is all right for children as well as adults to wear shoes that are "cool looking"—but not so practical—just as long as they're worn for limited periods of time. Parents,
pick your battles. A jeweled or studded shoe with a chunky heel is unlikely to cause harm if worn occasionally. But avoid heels higher than 2 inches; they can cause instability, leading to falls and possible injury.