(2015). Fundamental movement skill proficiency and body composition measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in eight-year-old children. Early Child Development and Care, 185 (3), 475-485. doi:10.1080/03004430.2014

Open Access License:This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and is otherwise in compliance with the license. abstract BackgroundObesity has become a major health challenge in children. Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are suggested to have an important role for being physically active and decreasing the risk of obesity. This systematic review aimed to give an overview of studies providing evidence for a relationship between FMS and the weight status in children. Material/MethodsA systematic search of five electronic databases (MEDLINE (PubMed), SportDiscus, ERIC, PsycInfo and SCOPUS) was conducted in January 2015. Studies examining associations between FMS and weight status in children aged 3-12 years were included. ResultsThe final sample included 12 cross-sectional studies. Seven studies found statistically significant inverse association between FMS and body mass index (BMI). Three studies used waist circumference (WC), and significant inverse associations were found in two of these. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used in one study and significant association was found between FMS and abdominal and total body fat percentage. One study, using skinfolds, found no association. ConclusionsBased on the findings of the 12 studies, the relationship between FMS and weight status in children aged 3-12 years remains unclear. Developing competency in FMS may have important health consequences, and more studies are needed in which body composition is objectively measured with DXA. Among children and adolescents, obesity has substantially increased worldwide. A recent systematic review indicated that between 1980 and 2013, the prevalence of overweight or obese children and adolescents (ages 2-19 years) increased by nearly 50%. In 2013, approximately 23% of girls and 24% of boys living in developed countries and 13% of girls and 8% of boys in developing countries were found to be overweight or obese [1]. Obesity is associated with multiple physical and psychological health problems already in childhood as well as with co-morbidities later in life [2]. Because of the established health risks and substantial increases in prevalence, obesity has become a major global health challenge [1].The observed increase in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is a likely consequence of a change in physical activity (PA) and nutrition patterns over time [3]. Adequate PA, together with healthy weight, is a protective factor against many health problems. PA has beneficial effects on adiposity, musculoskeletal health and fitness, and several components of cardiovascular health in children and adolescents [4]. Moreover, data from observational studies indicate dose-response relationships -the more PA, the greater the health benefits, and result...

Purpose: To examine the associations between muscular fitness (MF) and body composition. Method: MF was assessed with three tests of FitnessGram test battery. Total body fat percentage (BF%), abdominal fat percentage (AF%) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The IOTF body mass index (BMI) cut-offs were used to define healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. Results: MF was inversely associated with BF% and AF%. The children in the moderate and high MF groups had significantly lower BF% and AF% compared with the children in the low MF group within the same BMI category. After adjusting for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), BMI and sex, the differences between the MF groups were significant for BF% but not for AF%. Conclusion: There were significant inverse associations between MF and DXA -measured adiposity. Within the same BMI category, total and abdominal adiposity were lower in children with moderate or high MF than in children with low MF.