Foot dimensions of a young adult Nigerian population

Abstract

Background: Variations in physical characteristics are due to interactions between genetic and environmental factors.
Aim: The aim of the study is to provide normal values of foot length and breadth for our population.
Methods: A cross sectional study of 402 male and 268 females of students of University of Nigeria Enugu Campus was done. Their ages ranged from 20-28 years.
Results: The mean values of right foot length in males and females were 27.1 ± 1.3 cm and 25.1 ± 1.1 cm respectively. The left foot length in males and females were 27.1 ± 1.3 cm and 25.0 ± 1.1 cm respectively. The values for right foot breadth in males and females were 9.9 ± 0.6 cm and 9.2 ± 0.5cm respectively. The left foot breadth for males and females were 9.8 ± 0.5 cm and 8.9 0.5 cm respectively. Males had significantly higher values of foot length and breadth than females, p < 0.001.
Conclusion: Males and females in our population had higher mean foot length than the Caucasians. This observation is probably one of the adaptations to a tropical climate.


Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 1(1) September 2006: 22-24