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07 August 2009
PRESS RELEASE
ONE IN THREE BRITISH WOMEN HAVE PUT THEIR FOOT HEALTH AT RISK FOR FASHION
- 37 per cent of women have bought ill-fitting shoes
- 80 per cent of women have suffered from foot problems
In the spate of summer sales, over a third of British women (37 per cent) have bought shoes knowing they don’t fit and are risking their foot health as a result.
According to a new study by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SCP), a passion for fashion is leaving UK women with a range of uncomfortable and sometimes disabling conditions. A staggering 80 per cent of women suffer from foot problems, ranging from bunions (15 per cent) and corns (24 per cent) through to cracked heels (39 per cent) and in-growing toe nails (19 per cent).
However, women are not the only ones squeezing their feet into shoes that don’t fit them, with nearly a fifth of men (17 per cent) also having bought shoes in the wrong size. Yet, despite the scale of the nation’s foot problems, 40 per cent of those that have ever had a foot problem have never sought medical advice.
Lorraine Jones, podiatrist from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists said: “Many of us find it hard to resist a bargain and the latest fashion must-have, but it’s important to remember that by buying ill-fitting shoes, you’re not only going to end up in discomfort, but you are also putting your health at risk. What is particularly worrying is that this is just the number of people who are aware that they are buying ill-fitting shoes; many people are wearing the wrong sized shoes on a daily basis without even realising it. Most people in the UK suffer from a foot problem at some point in their lives, and while many are fairly minor, some can be extremely painful and disabling.
“While not all foot problems can be prevented, a large majority of problems do result from incorrect or poor footwear. It is important to wear shoes in the correct size that are appropriate for the activity you need them for. That’s not to say we shouldn’t wear fashionable shoes or high heels, but it does mean that we should give our feet a break and see an expert if there is something wrong. Most foot complains are treatable but if problems are not detected early or treated properly, some conditions can become very serious with patients left in pain and with difficulties walking.”
| Top five foot ailments in the UK |
|
| 1. Cracked heels |
27 per cent
|
| 2. Veruccas |
26 per cent |
| 3. Fungal infections |
26 per cent |
| 4. In-growing toenails |
19 per cent |
| 5. Corns |
16 per cent |
Visit www.feetforlife.org for more information.
ENDS
For further information on the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists and the "Feet for Life" campaign please contact: Edith Barton-Harvey or Kate Ward at 3 Monkeys Communications on 020 7009 3100 / feetforlife@3-monkeys.co.uk
Notes to Editor
The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists is the leading professional body for registered chiropodists and podiatrists in the UK. In short, they’re the UK’s experts for everything and anything to do with feet. Podiatry (also known as chiropody) is the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and other disorders of the feet.
| The state of the nation
% of people suffering from foot problems by region
|
|
| Wales |
82 per cent
|
| North West |
79 per cent |
| South West |
77 per cent |
| North East |
77 per cent |
| Yorkshire and the Humber |
76 per cent |
| South East |
76 per cent |
| Scotland |
75 per cent |
| East of England |
75 per cent |
| East Midlands |
73 per cent |
| Northern Ireland |
72 per cent |
| London |
69 per cent |
| West Midlands |
60 per cent |
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2138 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 17th - 20th July 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
Soc Chiropodists & Podiatrists 7-Sep-2009
Categories: Heel pain , Work Wear, Footwear
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