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Relationships between physical activity, fundamental motor skills, and body mass index in preschool children

Fei-Fei Ma1,2, Dong-Mei Luo1

  • 1School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.

Frontiers in Public Health
|May 1, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Physical activity (PA) is linked to fundamental motor skills (FMS) in preschoolers, but Body Mass Index (BMI) is not. Overweight girls should increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and reduce sedentary time for better health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Motor Development
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Preschool childhood is a critical period for developing physical activity (PA) habits and fundamental motor skills (FMS).
  • Overweight and obesity rates in preschool children are a growing public health concern.
  • Understanding the interplay between PA, FMS, and Body Mass Index (BMI) is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between PA, FMS, and BMI in preschool children.
  • To compare PA and FMS levels between normal-weight and overweight/obese preschool children.

Main Methods:

  • 358 preschool children (aged 3-6 years) participated.
  • PA was measured using accelerometers, FMS with the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2), and BMI via anthropometry.
  • Statistical analyses included correlation, t-tests, and ANCOVA.

Main Results:

  • Physical activity (PA) positively correlated with both locomotor and object control skills (p < 0.01).
  • No significant correlation was found between FMS, PA levels, and BMI.
  • Overweight/obese girls exhibited shorter moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and longer sedentary periods compared to normal-weight girls.

Conclusions:

  • PA is positively associated with FMS in preschool years, but BMI is not directly related.
  • Interventions targeting overweight/obese girls should focus on increasing MVPA and reducing sedentary behavior.
  • Addressing overweight/obesity in preschoolers requires targeted strategies for physical activity and skill development.
Abstract

Keywords:
body mass indexfundamental motor skillphysical activitypreschool childrenrelationships

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