Delayed motor skills associated with pediatric obesity
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Published on: January 12, 2019
Benjamin Zacks1, Kristen Confroy1, Sherry Frino2
1Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States.
Insights
Developmental motor delay (DMD) is linked to pediatric obesity, with potential interventions improving early motor skills. Further research is needed to clarify the causal relationship between DMD and childhood obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Pediatric obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Developmental motor delay (DMD) may impact physical activity levels and contribute to obesity.
- Understanding the relationship between DMD and pediatric obesity is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on the association between developmental motor delay and pediatric obesity.
- To identify potential interventions for improving early motor coordination.
- To explore how early motor skill development influences physical activity and obesity risk.
Main Methods:
- An integrative literature review was conducted.
- Searches were performed using specific combinations to identify relevant publications.
- Included studies focused on children up to 18 years old, examining DMD and pediatric obesity.
Main Results:
- Twenty-one publications were reviewed, categorized into motor function, motor development, and intervention roles.
- A negative association was observed between motor function and obesity.
- Physical activity interventions demonstrated improvements in motor function.
Conclusions:
- Motor function deficits are associated with pediatric obesity.
- The causal relationship between DMD and obesity remains unclear.
- Early interventions targeting motor skills may mitigate obesity risk.
Objective:
To review the literature regarding associations between developmental motor delay (DMD) and pediatric obesity. We hope to identify potential interventions that can improve motor coordination at an early age, thereby minimizing the deterring factors of physical activity down the road.
Design:
An integrative review was undertaken using search combinations to best identify potential publications. Manuscripts were reviewed, summarized, and discussed in detail. An experienced clinician in pediatric obesity reviewed the final searches for substantive content.
Criteria:
Inclusion criteria include English language studies or publications, children ≤18 years old, publication/study relates to DMD and pediatric obesity. Excluded publications regarded topics of pediatric obesity that have been extensively studied such as maternal and family histories of obesity, isolated nutritional or physical interventions to improve obesity without discussion of DMD.
Results:
21 publications were included for review. Papers fell into three main categories regarding the association between pediatric obesity and DMD: 1) Motor function - negative association with motor function and obesity 2) Motor Development - lower levels of motor function are associated with decreased levels of exercise, and 3) Role of Intervention - specific physical activity intervention showed improvements in motor function.
Conclusions:
Motor function deficits appear to be associated with obesity. However, it is not well understood if children with obesity have delayed motor skills as a consequence of their weight or if the DMD is a risk factor for the development of obesity; existing studies do not provide an answer.
