Introduction and Objective: A flat foot is a condition where the arch of the foot is reduced or absent, causing the entire bottom of the foot to touch the ground. The causes of flat feet differ among various age groups, requiring specific evaluations based on age. The objective of this study was to utilize the Plantar Arch Index (PAI) to assess the occurrence of pes planus among a group of young adults and to explore any potential connection between pes planus and obesity. This study involved 250 first-year medical students from Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, during the academic year 2023-2024. It was a prospective, cross-sectional study. The PAI was calculated using Staheli’s method after obtaining ink footprints from the participants. An analysis was performed to assess the correlation between PAI and body mass index (BMI). Findings: Type III pes planus was found to have a prevalence of 8%, with a slightly higher occurrence in males. The PAI values varied from 0 to 1.720. There was no notable link discovered between obesity (as determined by BMI) and PAI in the age group under investigation. Conclusion: There is no notable link between being overweight and the development of flat feet in young adults aged 18-22 years. In this age group, the causes of pes planus can be varied and not necessarily related to body weight. The ink footprint method is a dependable and gentle technique for identifying flat feet in its early stages, similar to radiographic methods.

Introduction and Objective: A flat foot is a condition where the arch of the foot is reduced or absent, causing the entire bottom of the foot to touch the ground. The causes of flat feet differ among various age groups, requiring specific evaluations based on age. The objective of this study was to utilize the Plantar Arch Index (PAI) to assess the occurrence of pes planus among a group of young adults and to explore any potential connection between pes planus and obesity. This study involved 250 first-year medical students from Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, during the academic year 2023-2024. It was a prospective, cross-sectional study. The PAI was calculated using Staheli’s method after obtaining ink footprints from the participants. An analysis was performed to assess the correlation between PAI and body mass index (BMI). Findings: Type III pes planus was found to have a prevalence of 8%, with a slightly higher occurrence in males. The PAI values varied from 0 to 1.720. There was no notable link discovered between obesity (as determined by BMI) and PAI in the age group under investigation. Conclusion: There is no notable link between being overweight and the development of flat feet in young adults aged 18-22 years. In this age group, the causes of pes planus can be varied and not necessarily related to body weight. The ink footprint method is a dependable and gentle technique for identifying flat feet in its early stages, similar to radiographic methods.