CHILDREN’S FEET

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 70, 22 August 1947, Page 3

CHILDREN’S FEET

EXAMINATION AT TE PUKE SCHOOL FITTING OF SHOES Two officers of the Standards Institute (Messrs. W. Steward and S. R. Ellison) were recently at the Primary Department of the Te Puke District High School carrying out an examination of children’s feet

which is part of the survey being carried out throughout New Zealand to eliminate badly fitting shops in the future, says the Te Puke Times.

The officers measure, on an average, 20 pairs of feet each day. To date they have done 1400 pairs of feet, and have 5330 pairs to do throughout New Zealand. It is interesting to note that of the 1400 pairs already examined, the officers have found only three children whose left and right feet are identical in measurement. While children were being examined, the officers explained to a Times representative that the measure of left and right feet differed considerably with most children. With the aid of the electrically controlled apparatus accurate measurements are taken, and callipers are also used. The Plunket Society, which has been strongly supporting the Standards Institute since the investigation was first proposed, are co-operating in the survey. It will probably be two years before any conclusion can be drawn from the results.

As well as the Plunket Society, orthopaedic specialists, various women’s organisations and footwear manufacturers have made representations from time to time for the establishment of basic measurements for children’s footwear.

These groups have pointed out the serious injury which incorrectly fitting footwear causes to children’s feet in particular,- adversely affecting their posture and general health in later life. Sizes Differ At present the lasts usecl in New Zealand for shoe manufacture are not standardised, i with the result that two pairs of shoes stated to be the same size may differ considerably. Also footwear is not based on data concerning the feet for which it is made, but is largely adapted

from British and American.measurements, which do not necessarily apply to this country.

Last year a short preliminary survey of children’s foot-measurements was made by the Standards Institute to see what was the best® method of approach giving the most accurate results. As a result of this test, several factors such as actual foot disfigurements have been eliminated for. the purpose of this survey. Another result of the preliminary survey was that the measuring device used was found to be unsatisfactory, and a special one was built to the specifications laid down by the Standards Institute, being made by the Dominion Physical Laboratory. This machine, which is lit from underneath, is placed on a table and each child stands on it. It takes four measurements of length and width of each foot. Callipers are used to take two measurements of depth on each foot, and a tape for five circumferences. The manufacturers have also asked that the outline of each foot should be traced also.

In addition to the measurements, a record is also kept of the child’s age and the type of area in which he lives—flat, hilly, rural or urban. It is hoped to find out from this information whether certain foot characteristics develop in certain types of localities.

The two officers will travel all over New Zealand. The towns have been picked out entirely at random, Opotiki and Te Puke being the only towns in the Bay of Plenty to be included.

The work that is being made here by the Standards Institute is following similar work carried out on a comprehensive scale in other countries, particularly in the United States, Russia and South Africa.