Another difference between women and men surfaces: the agony of the feet

Women won't be surprised to learn that they have more foot problems than men. There is a price to pay for loving your shoes. Years of wearing tight-fitting high heels or sandals, slippers and flip-flops with little support are beginning to take their toll on women's feet. A Boston University study in the journal Arthritis Care and Research examined more than 3300 men and women, finding a direct relationship between bad shoe choices and foot pain, according to a New York Times article. More than 60 percent of women said that in the past they generally wore high heels, pumps, sandals and slippers, all of which researchers rated as higher risk. These women had more pain in the hind foot and around the ankle and the Achilles’ tendon. Those women who made sensible shoe choices, such as sneakers, shoes with support and/or rubber soles had less foot pain than the higher risk group. Men have shown more common sense in the shoe area. The study found that fewer than 2 percent wore bad shoes. The researchers recommend that women buy shoes in the right size and width, instead of squeezing into something that looks good but doesn't fit right. This is easier said than done when you're wearing that little black dress or evening gown...but we can try during the rest of the week!