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Obesity and motor coordination ability in Taiwanese children with and without developmental coordination disorder
Yi-Ching Zhu1, Sheng K Wu, John Cairney
1Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung City 404, Taiwan.
Insights
Obesity is linked to poorer motor skills, especially balance, in Taiwanese children. Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) face a higher risk of being overweight or obese.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Motor Development
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global concern.
- Motor coordination is crucial for children's development and daily activities.
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects motor skills in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between obesity and motor coordination in Taiwanese children.
- To compare motor coordination in children with and without DCD in relation to weight status.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 2029 children (9-10 years old) in Taiwan.
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for body fat percentage (PBF).
- Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) test for motor coordination evaluation.
Main Results:
- Obese and overweight boys showed significantly higher MABC impairment and balance scores than normal-weight boys.
- Obese and overweight girls had higher balance impairment scores compared to normal-weight girls.
- Obesity prevalence was highest in boys with DCD compared to borderline DCD and typically developing (TD) boys.
- A greater proportion of girls with DCD were overweight or obese compared to TD girls.
Conclusions:
- Obesity is associated with reduced motor coordination, particularly balance, in both boys and girls.
- Children with DCD in Taiwan exhibit a higher risk of being overweight or obese.
- Findings highlight the importance of addressing weight management in children with motor coordination difficulties.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between obesity and motor coordination ability in Taiwanese children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD). 2029 children (1078 boys, 951 girls) aged nine to ten years were chosen randomly from 14 elementary schools across Taiwan. We used bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure percentage of body fat (PBF) and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children test (MABC test) to evaluate the motor coordination ability. Using cut-off points based on PBF from past studies, boys and girls were divided into obese, overweight and normal-weight groups, respectively. In boys, total impairment scores and scores on balance subtest in the MABC were significantly higher in the obese and overweight groups when compared against the normal-weight group. Girls in the obese and the overweight groups had higher balance impairment scores than those of the normal-weight group. Among boys, the prevalence of obesity was highest in the DCD group, when compared to the borderline DCD and TD boys. A higher percentage of DCD girls were overweight and obese than TD girls. Obesity may be associated with poor motor coordination ability among boys and girls, and particularly in relation to balance ability. Children with DCD may have a higher risk to be overweight or obese in Taiwan.
