re Shopping For Shoes That Get Kids Moving (NAPSA)—According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), America’s children need to get moving. A recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of the last 30 years found that among children ages 2 to 5, obesity has doubled, while among 6- to 1l-year-olds, it has tripled. Obesity can have a negative impact on health. Young people whoare obese are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. That’s why it is so important to encourage children to participate in physical activity. However, when children choose a sport, it’s important to equip them with sport-specific shoes. “Selecting the correct shoe for a child’s activity and foot type can go a long way in preventing many foot-related injuries,” said Dr. Kathleen Stone, president of the American Podiatric Medical Asso- ciation (APMA). Here are a few facts you can use to shop for sport-specific shoes: e If your child likes to shoot hoops. Give children a shoe that both helps them perfect their basketball-handling skills and prevents injury. A child’s basketball shoe should: Wearing sport-specific shoes can not only change your child’s game, but they can prevent foot injuries. during quick changesin direction. A good basketball shoe should have the strongest support on either side of the ankle. e If your child is an ace on the tennis court. A court shoe should: Support both sides of the foot, due to the quick lateral movements and weight shifts in court sports. Provide a flexible sole for fast changesof direction. e If your child likes to run. Choose a shoe that: Provides maximum shock absorption to help runners avoid ailments such as shin splints and knee pain. Controls the way yourchild’s heel strikes the ground, so the rest of the foot can fall correctly. e Whatever the game, stock up on theright socks. The right helps give support while a child is athletic sock should be made of a natural/synthetic blend as this helps wick away moisture, and it to the basket. that can causeblisters. e Have a thick, stiff sole that running and landing from jumps Incorporate high ankle construction that supports the ankle shouldn’t contain any large seams For more information, visit www.apma.org.
