抄録
Attitudes involved in shoe selection and the present situation of shoe comfort were investigated using the questionnaire method. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 2002 of 181 female university students (18-20 years). Questionnaire items asked about 3 items: 1) shoes usually worn; 2) shoes on the market; and 3) troubles noted when wearing own shoes. Specific questions were identical to those used in a questionnaire survey for elderly women conducted in 1997. Foot length and foot girth were measured at the same time for 54 of these 181 subjects. The mean foot girth of young women was significantly smaller than that of elderly women, and the suitable foot girth size was D or narrower in 52% of subjects. Many young women wore heeled shoes with ball girth larger than their foot girths. Young women experienced difficulties with shoe comfort mainly in the ball and plantar arch, which are different from those experienced by elderly women. One of the reasons for shoe discomfort in young women may be feet sliding forward on the shank curve of shoes due to wearing shoes with ball girth too large for their feet. To improve shoe comfort, consumers need to recognize their own foot girth size, and select shoes of suitable size. Since shoes with narrower than average foot girth size are few at present, shoe comfort would be improved by increasing the supply of narrower shoes on the market.
