For kids who are overweight or non-athletic, running can be a fun and effective way to stay in shape. It doesn’t require any equipment beyond proper footwear, making it very accessible, and if kids have family members or friends to run with, it can serve as a positive bonding experience.
The bones of most children and young adults are still developing, so it’s important that they are properly supervised and taught good running techniques to avoid injury. To be as safe as possible, kids shouldn’t run every single day, and should also try to participate in other activities that strengthen different muscles.
It’s important to monitor the health of your kids’ feet, especially if they do a lot of athletic activities. If you have questions about maintaining children’s foot health, talk to podiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Conforti of New Jersey. Dr. Conforti will give you professional advice about how to care for kids’ developing lower limbs.
Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.
Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.
· Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
· Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable
As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. Be sure the child wears comfortable and protective shoes so that they can grow into their feet properly.
As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet
Children of all ages are constantly developing and growing, and as a parent you want to make sure that nothing is hindering their maturation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Paramus, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy.