This was stated by internationally acclaimed researcher and clinician Naomi Green from London. While speaking on the sidelines of the workshop on advanced clinical gait analysis at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), she said if a person walks 2000 steps, one can imagine the pressure exerted on the feet. “It is very important to know what kinds of shoes are good for the feet to carry the body weight,” she advised.

Naomi also warned women against wearing high-heeled shoes for longer durations. “Women are more prone to arthritis and knee problems because of their hormones and laxity of muscles. But they should also be careful about their shoes as they often wear footwear where their feet are unprotected. Those who are obese should also spare an extra thought while choosing shoes so that less pressures is exerted on the feet,” she recommended.

“People start emulating sports stars and celebrities and wear the kind of shoes they wear. But they should understand that footwear should be chosen on the basis of the shape of one’s feet,” Naomi said while talking about the walking pattern and importance of wearing the right kind of shoes.

She asserted that a lot of people in India have a flat foot, which eventually leads to problems in the feet, knees, hips and lower back. “I have surveyed many Indian people here and most of them have flat feet. Therefore, the type of shoes they wear becomes extremely important. They should have proper insoles according to the assessment of their feet to reduce the problem.”