Associations Between Motor Competence, Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity, and Body Mass Index Among Preschoolers Over 1 Year
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Insights
Improved motor skills in preschoolers are linked to increased physical activity. Higher motor competence correlates with more moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), suggesting public health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Child Development
- Physical Activity Research
Background:
- Motor competence (MC), moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and body mass index (BMI) are key indicators of child health.
- Understanding the interplay between these factors in early childhood is crucial for developing effective health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between changes in motor competence (MC), moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and body mass index (BMI) over one year in preschoolers.
- To determine if higher levels of motor competence are associated with greater engagement in physical activity.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-four preschoolers (aged 4-5 years) participated in the study.
- Motor competence was assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2.
- Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was measured via accelerometry, and height, weight, and BMI were recorded over a one-year period.
Main Results:
- Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) increased over the year across all motor competence levels.
- Body mass index (BMI) decreased significantly over the year (P = .001) for all participants.
- Preschoolers with higher motor competence spent more time in MVPA compared to those with lower motor competence.
- Increases in motor competence were positively associated with increases in MVPA.
Conclusions:
- Improvements in motor competence are positively linked to increased physical activity levels in young children.
- Enhanced motor skills may encourage greater participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
- These findings have significant public health implications for promoting physical activity and healthy development in early childhood.
Background:
To examine the associations between motor competence (MC), moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and body mass index (BMI) changes over 1 year in preschoolers.
Methods:
Fifty-four preschoolers (24 girls; 42.4%) aged 4-5 years old from the metropolitan area of Porto, Portugal comprised the sample. Height, body mass, and BMI were calculated. MC was assessed according to the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2. MVPA was measured by accelerometry. For each participant, changes in MVPA, MC, and BMI over a year were computed. Different levels of MC were calculated; and then data were analyzed.
Results:
The MVPA increased over time in all levels of MC in the follow-up. The BMI decreased over time for all levels in follow-up (P = .001). The preschoolers classified as at a high level of MC were more likely to spend more time in MVPA (in minutes) than their counterparts with low MC in follow-up. Multiple linear regression analyses, adjusted by sex and age, were fit to predict Δ% MC by Δ% MVPA and Δ% BMI. The Δ% MC was positively associated with Δ% MVPA.
Conclusion:
Increases in MC were positively associated with MVPA. Higher performance in MC increases due to time spent in MVPA. Improvement of MC in young children has potentially relevant policy implications related to MVPA and public health.
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