Relationships between physical activity, fundamental motor skills, and body mass index in preschool children

Abstract

PurposeTo investigate whether there is a potential relationship between physical activity (PA), fundamental motor skills (FMS), and Body Mass Index (BMI) in preschool children and to further explore the differences in PA and FMS between normal-weight and overweight/obese preschool children.MethodParticipants were 366 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years; 358 completed all tests (194 boys and 164 girls). PA, FMS, body weight, and height were measured by triaxial accelerometer, the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition (TGMD-2), and anthropometry measurement, respectively.ResultThe overall rate of overweight/obesity was 17.0%, with no significant gender difference (χ2 = 0.628, p = 0.428). Older children perform significantly better in both object control skills and locomotor skills. Independent samples t-tests were used to examine the difference between genders on FMS and PA: girls in the 5-year-old group display better locomotor skills (p = 0.012) than boys. Boys spent more time on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and less time on sedentary activity when compared to girls. Results of partial correlation analysis showed that PA was significantly and positively correlated with both locomotor skills and object control skills in preschool children (p < 0.01), while there was no correlation between FMS, PA level, and BMI. Results of ANCOVA revealed no significant difference in FMS between normal-weight and overweight or obese preschool children; normal-weight girls had significantly longer MPA and MVPA duration and significantly shorter sedentary periods than overweight or obese girls (p < 0.05).ConclusionOverweight/obesity in preschool children requires effective measures. PA is positively associated with FMS, while BMI is not potentially related to FMS or PA in preschool years. Overweight or obese girls should develop healthier weight status by increasing MVPA hours and reducing sedentary time.

Effects of Combined Movement and Storytelling Intervention on Fundamental Motor Skills, Language Development and Physical Activity Level in Children Aged 3 to 6 Years: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…However, despite CMSI showing beneficial effects on basic motor skills and language in children [ 14 , 15 ], to date, there have been few studies that confirm its efficacy. This study responds to several concerns and needs identified in the specialized literature on motor competence, which suggests implementing interventions from early childhood, based on a robust methodology, in a structured learning environment and with a well-defined purpose [ 4 , 13 ].…”

“…The motor stories that will be developed each week are: (i) who I am; (ii) we go on an excursion; (iii) the school; (iv) the recess; (v) the weekend has arrived; (vi) visiting the park; (vii) my days in the field; (viii) my days at the beach; (ix) we go to the stadium; (x) we are going to know my environment; (xi) let’s go to the circus; (xii) tell me your adventures. The aim of the motor story translates into solving practical challenges while maintaining control, balance and coordination by combining various postures and movements such as throwing and receiving, moving on inclined planes and following rhythms, all in a variety of games and other activities [ 4 , 12 , 23 ].…”

“…A physically active lifestyle should begin at an early age and continue throughout the life cycle [ 1 , 2 ], with a synergistic relationship between physical activity and motor competence [ 3 ]. The development of fundamental motor skills (FMSs) is a favorable antecedent and significantly related to longer periods of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children ( p < 0.05) [ 4 ]. FMSs denote the mastery of common basic motor skills with specific patterns; these can be classified as locomotor, object control, and stability skills, which favor the development of advanced and complex movements that allow participation in high-motor-engagement activities [ 4 ].…”

Inflammatory Pathways in Overweight and Obese Persons as a Potential Mechanism for Cognitive Impairment and Earlier Onset Alzeihmer’s Dementia in the General Population: A Narrative Review

“…Motor skills are included more frequently in children's studies, with obese or overweight preschoolers showing worse fundamental/gross locomotor skills as compared to eutrophic children in some studies, while others did not highlight it [68][69][70].…”

The impact of adapted exercises in basketball on the perception of the difficulty and physical enjoyment of students with overweight

“…This scarce development of motor skills [ 6 , 10 ] is the main cause of physical condition decline, and as soon as their body weight is engaged in a physical test, they showed less performance including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, balance, speed, or [ 11 , 12 ]. It is well demonstrated that the motor skills of overweight or obese children are lower than those of normal weight children [ 11 , 13 ]. Furthermore, the agility, resistance, power of the lower limbs, speed and balance of obese children are significantly lower than those of children with normal weight [ 11 , 14 ].…”