BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A new study from Boston University assessed foot pain, achiness, and stiffness in 1,900 women over the age of 50 and asked these women what kinds of shoes they wore currently and throughout their lifespan.

Researchers classified good shoes as those that provided cushioning and foot support, such as athletic shoes and casual sneakers; average shoes were those that provided some support, such as work boots or hard-soled shoes, and poor shoes were those shoes that provided little to no support, such as high heels, sandals, and slippers.

Researchers found that 29 percent of women reported foot pain most days, and those who had worn or continued to wear poor shoes on a regular basis reported significantly more pain than others, especially in back of their feet, above the heel.

Because this part of the foot, called the hind foot, bears the brunt of the impact of each step you take, researchers said it made sense that hind foot pain would be associated with poor shoes choices.

Given these results, researchers felt that women should make more careful footwear choices and perhaps reconsider those stiletto heels.