THE RELATIONSHIP OF BODY COMPOSITION AND FOOT POSTURE INDEX IN YOUNG ADULTS OF THE INDIAN POPULATION

INTRODUCTION

The Foot Posture Index (FPI) is a validated method for quantifying standing foot posture and was developed by Redmond AC in 1998. Some studies have shown that with advancing age there is a more pronated posture and to function in a more pronated posture shows less efficiency in activities like walking. 

   The body mass index (BMI) is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height and is expressed in kg/m². It is a convenient rule of thumb used to categorize a person as underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese.

It has been used as a risk factor for the prevalence or for the development of various health issues. In India, more than 135 million people are affected by obesity and it varies due to age, gender, geographical environment, socio-economic status, etc. According to ICMR-INDIAB study 2015, prevalence rate of obesity and central obesity varies from 11.8%-31.3% and 16.9%-36.3% respectively. The waist-to-hip ratio is a dimensionless ratio of the waist circumference to that of the hip. Studies also show that women with abdominal type of obesity are at a greater risk for postural instability than gynoid type. Skinfolds provide an estimation of body and they can be used to evaluate the body fat distribution.

NEED FOR STUDY

The rate at which obesity is increasing in India is alarming. This problem of obesity can be combated through public awareness about obesity and its health consequences. Variations in foot posture, such as pes planus or pes cavus are considered to be an intrinsic risk factor for various lower limb injuries due to the altered motion. It has also been believed that even minor biomechanical changes in the foot support surface may influence strategies to maintain body standing balance in a healthy adult population. These factors become very important to teach various strategies and apply various exercises to maintain a good standing and dynamic balance. 

   Determining a relationship between these body compositions and foot posture index forms a baseline for quantifying measures to train static and dynamic balance in healthy young adults. It also gives normative values as a reference for further researches and clinical decision making.

AIM

To study the relationship between the body composition and foot posture index in young adults.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the foot posture using the foot posture index-6 (FPI-6) score.

To assess the level of activity of the individual using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) score.

To assess the components of body composition such as, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, skin fold measurements, body fat percentage and fat free mass.

To establish a relationship between the body composition and the level of activity.

To establish a relationship between body composition and FPI-6 scores.

OUTCOME MEASURES

FPI-6

BMI

IPAQ Scale

Body Fat %

Free- Fat Mass

Skin Fold Measurement

Waist-To-Hip Ratio

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Males and females of the age group 18-35 years and of the Indian race.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Males and females having any recent (4 weeks) lower limb injuries, any pathological changes in the thoracic or lumbar spine (eg. Canal stenosis, radiating pain, etc.) any lower limb surgical history.

INTERVENTION

Participants for the study will be selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They will be informed about the study and a written informed consent will be taken for the same. After asking for their consent, their history will be taken and the evaluation will be done.

Level of activity will be measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) score.

It is a 27-item self-reported measure of physical activity for use with individuals aged 15-69 years. The amount of physical activity places the participant in one of the three categories:

Low/inactive- Do not meet criteria for categories 2 or 3.

Moderate- Meet one of the following:

a.   5 or more days with atleast 20 mins. of vigorous activity

b.  5 or more days with atleast 30 mins. of moderate intensity activity or walking

c.   5 or more days of any combination of walking, moderate intensity or vigorous intensity activities with atleast 600 METs-min/week.

High- Meet one of the following:

a.   3 or more days of vigorous intensity activity and atleast 1500 METs-minutes/week

7 days of any combination of walking, moderate intensity or vigorous intensities activities with atleast 3000 METs-min/week.

 Body mass index (BMI):

This will be done by dividing the body mass(kgs.) by the square of the height(cm.).

Body mass         =

Height(squared)

Waist-to-hip ratio:

This will be obtained by taking a ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference.

Waist measurement = 

Hip measurement

Skinfold measurement:

The measurements will be taken on the right side of the body with the participant in the standing posture. Caliper will be placed directly on the skin surface, 1cm away from the thumb and finger, perpendicular to the skin fold and halfway between the crest and base of the fold. Wait 1-2 sec. to read the caliper and pinch should be maintained throughout the assessment. The sites for measurement are subscapular, triceps, suprailiac and upper thigh.

Foot Posture Index-6 (FPI-6):

The participant is asked to stand upright and the scoring is done based on observation and palpation by the examiner. The 6 clinical criteria in the FPI-6 are:

Talar head position

Supra and infra lateral malleolar curvatures

Calcaneal frontal plane position

Prominence in the region of talonavicular joint

Congruence of medial longitudinal arch