Relationships between Motor Competence, Physical Activity, and Obesity in British Preschool Aged Children.

Charlotte J. S. Hall,Samuel W. Oxford,Michael J. Duncan,Emma L. J. Eyre

doi:10.3390/jfmk3040057

Charlotte J. S. Hall, Samuel W. Oxford + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk3040057

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Abstract

Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to examine associations between motor competence, physical activity, and obesity in British children aged three to five years. Method: Motor competence (MC) was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2. Physical activity (PA) was assessed using triaxial wrist-worn accelerometers. Children were assessed on compliance to current PA recommendations of ≥180 min of total PA (TPA) and ≥60 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) for health benefits. Associations were explored with Pearson’s product moments and weight-status, and sex-differences were explored with independent t-tests and chi-squared analysis. Results: A total of 166 children (55% males; 4.28 ± 0.74 years) completed MC and PA assessments. Associations were found between PA and MC (TPA and overall MC, TPA and object-control MC (OC), MVPA and overall MC, and MVPA and OC). This study suggests that good motor competence is an important correlate of children meeting physical activity guidelines for health.

Highlights

Childhood obesity is a serious public health challenge of the 21st century, with enduring adverse consequences for health outcomes
This study examined associations between Motor competence (MC) and objectively measured physical activity (PA), and the relationship to weight-status, in British preschool aged children
The current study examined the proportion of children who completed the recommended levels of total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) for health

Summary

Introduction

Childhood obesity is a serious public health challenge of the 21st century, with enduring adverse consequences for health outcomes. Current physical activity (PA) guidelines [2,7] recommend children under 4 years complete ≥180 min of total PA, including light and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (total PA, TPA), and children aged 4–17 years complete ≥60 min MVPA per day. It is widely reported that children under five years are not sufficiently active [8,10,11,12,13] This cross-sectional study aimed to examine associations between motor competence, physical activity, and obesity in British children aged three to five years. Children were assessed on compliance to current PA recommendations of ≥180 min of total PA (TPA) and ≥60 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) for health benefits. This study suggests that good motor competence is an important correlate of children meeting physical activity guidelines for health

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