Motor Competence and Components of Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity

Motor competence is associated with a number of health benefits in children and adolescents. However, it is unknown whether motor competence is linked to components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in individuals with excess body weight. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between motor competence and components of MetS in young people with overweight/obesity.

A cross-sectional study was conducted recruiting 54 young individuals (55.6% girls) with overweight/obesity aged 6-14 years (M = 9.8 years ±2.1). Generalized estimating Equation models were conducted adjusting for age, sex, and height.

Mean values of motor competence, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) were, respectively, 75.1 (±9.9), 86.9 cm (±13.7), 101.4 mmHg (±11.7) and 64.2 mmHg (±9.2), 89.1 mg/dL (±8.1), 97.9 mg/dL (±52.5), and 45.1 mg/dL (±11.6); 87% of participants had low motor competence, 11.1% elevated fasting glucose, 20.4% elevated triglycerides, 31.5% low HDL-c, and 87.8% central obesity. Three or more risk factors associated with MetS were observed in 11.1% of the sample. Motor competence was positively associated with HDL-c and negatively associated with central adiposity and triglycerides.

Motor competence was associated with components of MetS in young children and adolescents with overweight/obesity, suggesting that lower motor competence is linked to a worse metabolic profile. The development of adequate motor competence throughout childhood and adolescence may promote healthier trajectories, including metabolic outcomes.