Motor Competence and Body Mass Index in the Preschool Years: A Pooled Cross-Sectional Analysis of 5545 Children from Eight Countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

One in five preschool children are overweight/obese, and increased weight status over time increases the risks of poorer future health. Motor skill competence may be a protective factor, giving children the ability to participate in health-enhancing physical activity. Yet, we do not know when the relationship between motor competence and weight status first emerges or whether it is evident across the body mass index (BMI) spectrum. This study examined the association between motor skill competence and BMI in a multi-country sample of 5545 preschoolers (54.36 ± 9.15 months of age; 50.5% boys) from eight countries.

Methods

Quantile regression analyses were used to explore the associations between motor skill competence (assessed using the Test of Gross

SUBMITTER: Martins C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10939976 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature