Experts: Snow boots harmful to children

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Brrrrr… As large parts of east and central China are embracing another cold front this week, many people may choose to wear snow boots. However, doctors warn that such boots are not suitable for children.

Feng Chao, associate chief physician in children orthopedics with Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, told CCTV that snow boots with design defect could be harmful to children’s hip and knee joints, and even increase impact on foot.

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“We’ve noticed there are various types of snow boots sold in market. The upper vamp and cut of some boots are one-piece, made from thin and soft cloth. In this case, children cannot walk steadily and easily fall off. Some boots have hard and thick soles, which will lead to poor performance of traction. Some other boots have high heels. ” said Feng.

Feng advised parents to be more careful when selecting snow boots for children, “After all, snow boots are warm and skid-proof, which is helpful to walk on snow field. We recommend parents to buy boots with the right size, soles neither too hard nor too soft, and without heels, for their children. ”

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But parents should not worry that wearing snow boots will cause deformity in feet, such as flatfoot, overpronation or underpronation, which are mainly congenital, Feng said.

For adults who see snow boots as fashionable footwear, they need not worry, according to associate chief physician in sports medicine Liu Xin with Beijing Jishuitan Hospital.

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"The bones of adults are better developed than children, and adults have more stable reactions towards external environment. So there are no major differences between regular shoes and snow boots,” Liu said.

At the same time, experts warn that the elderlies need special care in choosing the right and comfortable shoes as well.