The research also suggests that people may not even know what size shoe they should be wearing, with 17 per cent admitting to never having had their feet measured – even as a child – and the majority of other adults not having had their feet measured since they were aged 10-15. A further 62 per cent are not aware that in addition to standard shoe sizes which relate to the length of the shoe, you can also buy shoes in different width fittings.

With many wearing shoes which don’t fit them it isn’t surprising that 29 per cent of women and 18 per cent of men report suffering from daily or frequent sore, aching feet. The top complaints people suffer with daily or frequently were:

Commenting on the findings, podiatrist Lorraine Jones from The College of Podiatry said:

“Feet are getting bigger because as a nation we are becoming taller and we’re increasing in weight. Increased weight gain places more pressure on the feet and means ligaments and joints need to work harder to maintain the foot’s structure and keep you mobile. Over time if someone is gaining weight the feet splay to try and accommodate the increased pressure, which can cause pain, lead to mobility issues and increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis in the lower limb joints. Whatever your shoe size, the most important thing is to wear a comfortable, well-fitting shoe. More retailers are introducing wider fitting shoe ranges so if you have wide feet try to opt for a shoe that will comfortably accommodate your foot without causing rubbing or blisters. Try not to rush buying shoes, make sure they fit comfortably and try to have them professionally fitted if you can. If your shoes are hurting you then this means they don’t fit properly or you may not be wearing them for the right task. Being comfortable on your feet is key to maintaining mobility and managing a healthy weight so make sure you have the right footwear. If you are trying to lose weight then undertaking exercise with supportive footwear is key.”

The average man owns nine pairs of shoes and women typically have 17 pairs. Nearly a third (31%) of men and women admit they keep and continue to wear shoes even though they know they don’t fit.

The College of Podiatry is the academic authority for chiropody and podiatry in the UK, and an independent charity dedicated to feet health research, education and public awareness. It works closely with the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists – the professional body for the UK’s registered chiropodists and podiatrists. In short, they’re the UK’s experts for everything and anything to do with feet.  Podiatry is the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and other disorders of the feet.

Comfortable, happy feet are key to staying mobile and active; which is essential for good overall health. However research from The College of Podiatry shows that neglect and poor footwear are resulting in a range of foot problems which are causing women discomfort, pain and at worse, mobility problems either in the present or later in life.

Research amongst 2,000 UK adults showed that half of women put up with uncomfortable shoes for the sake of fashion and a third (36%) of women have worn shoes they knew didn’t fit them because they looked nice. Just 12 per cent of men report to having done the same.

As a result, 90 per cent of women report having suffered with a foot problem and one in five women say they are embarrassed about their feet.

The top foot problems suffered by women are blisters (55%), cracked heels (45%), veruccas (28%), corns (24%) and ingrown toenails (20%). More than twice the number of women to men report suffering from corns, cracked heels and bunions. Despite these problems, 19 per cent of women haven’t sought help because they didn’t think their foot complaint was important.