Correlation between foot posture & central obesity among young age females-a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Central obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent among young adult females, contributing significantly to metabolic and musculoskeletal complications. Meanwhile, unusual foot alignment, like pronation or supination, can affect posture, gait, and lower limb biomechanics. Despite the coexistence of these conditions, their interrelationship remains underexplored.Objective: To determine the relationship between young adult females' foot posture (measured by the Foot Posture Index, or FPI) and central obesity (measured by the Waist-Hip Ratio, or WHR).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 39 females aged 18-25 years using convenience sampling. Central obesity was measured using waist and hip circumference to calculate WHR. Foot posture was assessed using FPI-6, which classifies feet as pronated, neutral, or supinated. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 20, with Spearman and Pearson tests applied based on data normality.Results: As the data was not normally distributed, a non-parametric test was used. For correlation between WHR & BMI, Spearman’s rho correlation test was used, and the r value obtained is -0.012, and the p value obtained is 0.943.Conclusion: Among female young adults, there is no statistically significant relationship between foot position and central adiposity. Further research with a larger sample size and broader demographic may be needed to confirm these findings.