The plantar arch is being developed in the first years of children’s life and there are many factors that can influence this formation such as age, gender and overweight. The aim of this study was to examine the development of plantar arch in children and adolescents checking the prevalence of different types of plantar arch and investigating which factors may contribute to the formation of this arch. The sample consisted of 1.090 students from public schools in the area of Silves, Algarve, of both sexes, aged between 2 and 18 years. The body mass index was calculated and the students were classified as normal weight, thinness, overweight and obesity. The analysis of the plantar arch was performed using a podograph with the person in a static position. Footprint was analyzed by measuring the Clarke’s angle, the index of Chippaux-Smirak and the Staheli’s arch index. The average values of the angle of Clarke’s, the index of Chippaux-Smirak and the Staheli’s arch index revealed a prevalence of intermediate arch, small longitudinal arch and fallen plantar arch, respectively. The values of the angle of Clarke’s, the index of Chippaux-Smirak and the Staheli’s arch index differed significantly for genders, age groups and groups with overweight and obesity. According to data obtained in this study, we believe that gender, age and body weight are factors that can influence the formation of the plantar arch
