TY - JOUR
T1 - The relationship between motor skill proficiency and body mass index in preschool children
AU - Logan, Samuel W.
AU - Scrabis-Fletcher, Kristin
AU - Modlesky, Christopher
AU - Getchell, Nancy
PY - 2011/9
Y1 - 2011/9
N2 - The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between motor proficiency and body mass index (BMI) in preschool children. Thirty-eight children ages 4–6 years had their BMI calculated and were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2; Henderson, Sugden, & Barnett, 2007). These data were analyzed in two ways. The correlation between BMI and MABC-2 percentile ranks was calculated. Next, the groups were subdivided based on BMI status (high, M = 85.5; medium, M = 49.8; low, M = 10.8), and compared using t tests to determine if differences existed in MABC-2 percentile ranks. No significant relationship existed between MABC-2 and BMI percentile ranks (r = −237). However, significant differences in MABC-2 percentile ranks existed between high and low (p =. 042), and high and medium (p =. 043) groups. These results suggest that preschool children classified as overweight or obese may have lower motor proficiency than their normal weight and under weight peers. This study indicates there is a direct relationship between motor proficiency and BMI in the preschool population.
AB - The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between motor proficiency and body mass index (BMI) in preschool children. Thirty-eight children ages 4–6 years had their BMI calculated and were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2; Henderson, Sugden, & Barnett, 2007). These data were analyzed in two ways. The correlation between BMI and MABC-2 percentile ranks was calculated. Next, the groups were subdivided based on BMI status (high, M = 85.5; medium, M = 49.8; low, M = 10.8), and compared using t tests to determine if differences existed in MABC-2 percentile ranks. No significant relationship existed between MABC-2 and BMI percentile ranks (r = −237). However, significant differences in MABC-2 percentile ranks existed between high and low (p =. 042), and high and medium (p =. 043) groups. These results suggest that preschool children classified as overweight or obese may have lower motor proficiency than their normal weight and under weight peers. This study indicates there is a direct relationship between motor proficiency and BMI in the preschool population.
KW - Motor competence
KW - Obesity
KW - Overweight
KW - Young children
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80053947091&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/02701367.2011.10599776
DO - 10.1080/02701367.2011.10599776
M3 - Article
C2 - 21957702
AN - SCOPUS:80053947091
SN - 0270-1367
VL - 82
SP - 442
EP - 448
JO - Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
JF - Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
IS - 3
ER -
