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Relationship Between Motor Competence and Weight Status from Childhood to Adolescence (3-19 Years)
André Pombo1,2, Carlos Luz3, Rita Cordovil4
1Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center (SPRINT), Portugal.
Turkish Archives of Pediatrics
|July 2, 2026
Summary
Children and adolescents with a healthy weight demonstrate superior motor competence (MC) compared to those who are underweight, overweight, or obese. This association between weight status and MC persists across development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Human Movement Science
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Motor competence (MC) is crucial for physical activity and overall health.
- Weight status (WS) significantly impacts child development.
- Understanding the interplay between MC and WS is vital for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between motor competence and weight status in individuals aged 3-19 years.
- To analyze how this relationship varies across different developmental stages.
- To identify potential influencing factors in the MC-WS association.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 4537 participants (aged 3-19 years).
- Motor competence assessed using the MC Assessment (MCA) instrument.
- Weight status determined by calculating body mass index (BMI) from height and weight.
Main Results:
- An inverted U-shaped relationship was found between weight status and motor competence.
- Healthy weight participants exhibited significantly higher MCA scores than underweight, overweight, and obese groups.
- Obese participants had the lowest MC scores, with underweight participants also scoring lower than healthy weight individuals.
Conclusions:
- A significant association exists between weight status and motor competence throughout childhood and adolescence.
- Healthy weight profiles are linked to enhanced motor competence.
- Consistent patterns across age and sex suggest combined biological and sociocultural influences.
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