Background
Success of footwear as a modifiable intervention is complex and various qualitative studies have revealed that for women in particular shoes form an important part of clothing, self-identity and self-esteem. Whilst it is accepted that heel height may be an important differentiating characteristic of shoes that affect biomechanical function there is very little epidemiological longitudinal data that investigates other factors such as health and well-being. The objective of this study was to describe the footwear habits and relationship of this to general health in middle-aged women over a 10-year period.