September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we treat podiatric disorders that are caused or exacerbated by obesity. These issues include complications of diabetes, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and others. If you’ve got children, you know how important it is to keep them healthy and fit. We have put together three tips to keep your child on the path to a healthy weight for life.

Three tips to fight childhood obesity:

1. Educate: Teach your children about nutrition and fitness and all the great things that come with a healthy, active lifestyle. Utilize everyday opportunities to point out foods that are healthy, and foods that have damaging levels of sugar and fat. Show your kids news items or documentaries that discuss health conditions caused or affected by weight. Media often covers food and health trends. These could be great jumping-off points to teach your children about how to evaluate what is healthy and what is not.
2. Slowly swap foods: Gradually make food swaps with your family’s diet. Switch processed, prepackaged foods for whole foods like fruits and veggies. Pick up a healthy cookbook at the library to really spark some ideas. Use smaller plates when serving to exercise portion control. Experiment with cuisines and recipes from other cultures. Instead of frying foods, try cooking them in healthier ways such as broiling, oven roasting, or grilling. You can replace sugar-filled sodas with soda water or seltzer and squeeze in some fresh citrus or other fruit for a refreshing beverage.
3. Get moving: Set and strictly enforce limits on the amount of time your kids experience “screen time.” Encourage healthy physical activity every single day. Research a sport or activity with your child to get them involved in. If your kid is not participating in sports, you might have to get creative. Have them help with yard work or walk the dog, ride their bike, or set up a basketball hoop in the driveway to get them outdoors and active. It’s great to find activities that you enjoy doing as a family and it sets a great example for your kids. Swimming, hiking, and kayaking are all great activities to try out as a family!

If your kids develop healthy habits and a healthy weight now, they will be more likely to carry that into adulthood. If you have concerns or questions about your kids’ feet, Feet First Foot Care Specialists are here to help! Dr. Adam Mucinskas utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and cutting-edge treatments at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

Excess weight on a child means the excess weight that their feet have to support. Every time they walk, run, or jump, there is extra weight bearing down on their feet and ankles. Because of that, children who are obese are more likely to experience foot and ankle issues. As obesity rates rise in kids, so does the importance of the parents’ job of keeping their children healthy.

Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas wants you to know the specific foot issues that can come with childhood obesity:

• Joint pain: The joints in the ankles are strained by excess weight. There’s a heavier impact during running, jumping, or walking, which can cause joints to become painfully misaligned or even affect their growth patterns.
• Flatfoot: Excessive weight in the body will push downwards on the feet, occasionally causing the arches to flatten. This can pull the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon, which can lead to even more pain in the feet.
• Sever’s Disease: An inflammation of the heel’s growth plate is called Sever’s Disease. It can be quite painful and can eventually cause developmental foot issues if the growth plate becomes damaged or fractured.
• Overpronation: This can also be a side-effect of fallen arches from excess weight. Fallen arches can cause the child’s ankles to roll inwards to help stabilize the feet, which the body perceives as off-balance. This can put a strain on the ligaments surrounding the ankles.
• Blount’s Disease: Obesity can sometimes cause a child’s legs to bow out if their ankles develop incorrectly.

Many of the above issues can be treated but must be caught early for best results. Obesity is on the rise in our children. Not only can it lead to the above foot and ankle issues, but it can also lead to heart issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression. Healthy foods and exercise can put your kid on a path towards a healthy lifestyle and a healthy body.

If you’re concerned about your child’s foot health, the professionals at Feet First Foot Care Specialists can answer any questions you might have. To schedule an appointment at our convenient Cromwell, Connecticut office, request one online, or call us today at 860-632-5499.

As your child grows and changes, so do their needs and often your worries. You worry they’re getting the right foods, that they’re brushing their teeth, and that they’re washing their hands properly. The podiatry experts here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists know that you’ve got your hands full, so we’re here to help with one of your child’s biggest needs that can sometimes be a mystery: their feet.

Your child’s feet grow rapidly, just like the rest of their body. Follow these tips through their life stages to ensure excellent foot health through adulthood:

Infancy (birth to 1 year)

• Inspect your baby’s feet. If you notice something “off” or abnormal, give us a call. Foot deformities do not simply correct themselves if left untreated.
• Let your baby stay barefoot. Shoes or booties can restrict stretching of the toes, causing abnormal development
• Let your baby stretch and kick their feet. These motions help prepare the muscles for standing and walking.

Toddler (1 to 3 years)

• Keep their feet uncovered indoors. Walking barefoot lets their foot muscles grow and strengthen naturally. When walking outdoors, their feet must be protected from rough surfaces. Lightweight, flexible footwear made of natural materials are best for their rapidly growing feet.
• Watch how they walk. Odd walking styles like persistent toe-walking should be noted. If your kid is limping or tripping, it might be a sign that something else is going on too. A podiatrist can help examine their gait to determine if treatment or therapy is needed.

Child (4 to 8 years)

• Get your kid’s feet measured regularly. Every type of shoe fits differently, so make sure you take your child shoe shopping with you. This gives them a chance to try on all the options and promotes healthy foot habits later.
• Continue good footwear practice. Your child is more active at this age and participating in more activities. If they’re swimming or going in a locker room, make sure they wear flip-flops to avoid any fungal or bacterial infections. If it’s snowy, make sure they have proper winter boots. If they’re starting sports activities, make sure they have all the right footwear.

If you follow these tips, it will help your child towards excellent foot health as they mature. If you ever have any questions about, your child’s feet, give us a call here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists. Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help assess your child’s feet and set you on the right path. To schedule an appointment at our convenient Cromwell, CT office, request one online or call us today at 860-632-5499.

Our children come first when it comes to everything in life. No matter what age or size their foot is, we understand the safety of having the right shoe for the right activity.

Here are some educational facts to get you started:

• Infants that are just starting to walk do not need shoes to assist that wonderful moment when they take their first step. They could use the room to develop and grow their little feet plus it encourages them to use their toes to grab onto the floor.
• Once a toddler is walking their need for properly fitted shoes becomes important. The shoe should have toe room and space to grow and wide enough for their feet to wiggle.
• High top shoes are recommended for younger children who can’t seem to keep their shoes on but be aware that they do not offer any advantage in terms of support.

Keep some of these tips in mind when shopping for your children’s shoes:

• Both feet must be measured (standing up) each time you buy a new pair of shoes since your child’s feet grow continuously.
• Put your hand inside to feel around for sharp staples or deformities from the manufacturer that could hurt their feet.
• Let them walk around and even (safely) run a bit in the store to test them out.
• If it is hard to get them on and you feel as though you are forcing their foot inside the shoe, don’t buy them.
• Bring a pair of socks that your child wears frequently and let them try the shoes on with that sock to ensure a proper fit.

Here are some things to remember before you start your search:

• Injury is the first consideration when buying your child’s shoes so while they may be adorable, make sure they are safe too.
• Deformities should be examined by an expert before shopping for any shoe.
• Check your child’s feet for a growth spurt if they are constantly removing their shoes, it may not just be because they are playing.

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we pride ourselves on safety for all patients but the children rely on us completely and need more attention as they grow into their bodies. If your child has not been seen by a podiatrist yet, call us at 860-632-5499 in Cromwell Ct. and make an appointment with Adam Mucinskas to get the ball rolling. Your kid’s feet will be in good hands!