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A longitudinal analysis of gross motor coordination in overweight and obese children versus normal-weight peers
E D’Hondt1,2, B Deforche1,2, I Gentier1,3, I De Bourdeaudhuij1, R Vaeyens1, R Philippaerts1 and M Lenoir1
BACKGROUND: The relationship of childhood overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) with motor skill and coordination is gaining due attention; however, longitudinal evidence is currently lacking.
OBJECTIVE: The dual purpose of this study was (1) to investigate the short-term evolution in the level of gross motor coordination according to children’s weight status, and (2) to identify those factors predicting their gross motor coordination performance over a
2-year interval.
SUBJECTS: Participants were 50 children with OW, including 8 with OB (aged 6–10 years at baseline, with 52% boys), and 50 with normal-weight (NW) matched for gender and age.
MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometrics (body height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), %body fat) and level of gross motor
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coordination (Korperkoordinationstest fur Kinder, KTK) were assessed in 2007 (baseline) and 2 years later in 2009 (follow-up).
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At baseline, participants completed a survey based on the Flemish Physical Activity Questionnaire (FPAQ) to obtain sociodemographic information and to determine physical activity levels in diverse domains.
RESULTS: The evolution in the level of gross motor coordination over time was strongly related to children’s weight status.
Participants in the NW group showed more progress than their OW/OB peers, who demonstrated significantly poorer performances. Accordingly, between-group differences in KTK outcomes (that is, raw item scores and total motor quotient) became more evident over time. Multiple linear regression analysis further indicated that, in addition to BMI per se (negative
References: ¨ GmbH: Weinheim, Germany, 1974. erganzte Auflage. Beltz Test GmbH: Gottingen. Germany, 2007. University, 2006.