Intervention for Children with Obesity and Overweight and Motor Delays from Low-Income Families: Fostering Engagement, Motor Development, Self-Perceptions, and Playtime.

Adriana Berleze,Nadia Cristina Valentini

doi:10.3390/ijerph19052545

Abstract

Obesity is increasing globally, affecting children’s health and development. This study examines the influence of a motor skill intervention on the daily routine, self-perceptions, body mass index, motor development, and engagement in physical education lessons of children with obesity and overweight with motor delays. Children were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The daily routine at home, self-perceptions, motor development, BMI, and engagement were assessed. Significant group by time interactions were found for play (p < 0.0001) and television (p < 0.0001) time, perceived social (p = 0.003) and motor (p < 0.0001) competence, global self-worth (p < 0.0001), BMI (p = 0.001), motor development (p < 0.0001), and engagement (p = 0.029). From pre-to-post intervention, children with obesity and overweight in the intervention group increased (1) playtime at home; (2) self-perceptions of social and motor competence and global worth; (4) engagement in the lessons, and improved scores, in motor skills; and (6) reduced BMI and screen time. The intervention promoted the health and improved the self-concept of children with obesity/ overweight.

Highlights

Obesity is increasing all over the world, affecting children’s health [1], motor development [2,3], and physical activity engagement [4]
Children (n = 120) referred to participate in the study were assessed by the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD2) [24]; 100 children from low-income families, 54 with or with obesity (O/O) and 46 AW, met the inclusion criteria for motor delays; 20 children with adequate weight did not meet the criteria for motor delays
The only change for the Control Group (CG) was the increase in running frequencies for children with O/O

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is increasing all over the world, affecting children’s health [1], motor development [2,3], and physical activity engagement [4]. The effects of the continuing increase in childhood obesity are not entirely understood, family and obesogenic social contexts [5], sedentary behaviors [6], and lack of physical activity [7] explain the noticeable escalation rate of obesity. Obesity presents risks for development; children with obesity and overweight show motor delays [3,8,9]. Physical activity interventions have little effect on children with overweight and obesity [12]; the lack of evidence supports the need to develop more effective strategies. Regarding motor skills interventions, participating in a Mastery Motivational Climates (MMC) initiative promotes improvements in motor development, self-worth [13] and physical activity commitment and enjoyment [14] for obese and overweight children

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion