Ben Wang, June 10th — When it comes to buying shoes for their children, how many parents actually consider the health aspects? According to a local survey, many parents are unaware of the long-term effects that foot problems can have on a child’s growth. They often lack knowledge about how to choose shoes that support healthy foot development. Since children's foot bones are still maturing, flat feet are quite common during early childhood, which can lead to tiredness and discomfort in the feet.
At around the age of four, children begin to develop their arches gradually. A primary school in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, conducted a footprint analysis on 1,282 students and found that nearly 70% had varying degrees of flat feet. Interestingly, most of these students were not aware of their condition, and their parents lacked the necessary knowledge to properly care for their children’s foot health.
Associate Professor Liu Peng from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University explains that children start forming their arches slowly around the age of four. Because their foot bones are not fully developed, flat feet are common, which can cause fatigue and may even lead to issues like plantar fasciitis, X-shaped legs, or even lower back and knee pain, as well as bone spurs. It’s crucial for parents to address these concerns early to prevent long-term complications.
Professor Wu Kunying, an adjunct professor at the School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, and a health consultant for Dr. Kong’s shoe shop, recommends that parents conduct a foot examination every four months for children aged between 4 and 14. This helps monitor foot development and allows for timely intervention if any issues arise.
In addition to regular check-ups, children can engage in exercises such as toe training, claw toe movements, and bouncing activities to help strengthen their arches and reduce the risk of flat feet-related problems.
Wearing the right shoes and insoles is also essential. Many popular canvas shoes are not ideal for children whose feet are still developing. Wu Kunying points out that these shoes tend to be too soft and lack proper shock absorption, especially in the heel cup and midsole areas, which can hinder healthy foot development—especially for those with flat feet. In fact, standard insoles may not be sufficient to prevent long-term issues.
Other tips include repurposing old shoes by adding spikes, avoiding throwing away worn-out shoes, using protective shoe covers, cleaning matte surfaces properly, choosing breathable and antibacterial socks, understanding the hidden functions of sports shoe heels, managing high-heel sounds, selecting appropriate shoes during pregnancy, dealing with moldy shoes, and being cautious about summer footwear choices.
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