High BMI and Low Muscular Fitness Predict Low Motor Competence in School-Aged Children Living in Low-Resourced Areas

Bibliographic Data

ID15515406
AuthorsEvi Verbecque (0000-0001-8116-1620, Hasselt University, corresponding author), Dané Coetzee (0000-0002-7166-8353, North-West University), Gillian Ferguson (0000-0003-3352-0734, University of Cape Town), Bouwien Smits‐Engelsman (0000-0003-0632-3276, University of Cape Town)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue15
Pages7878-7878
Publication date2021-07-25
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18157878
PMID34360171
OpenAlexW3186897376
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited36

Childhood obesity is a relatively new problem for Sub-Saharan developing countries. Especially in children with a low socioeconomic background, the link between motor competence, muscular fitness, and body mass index (BMI) remains poorly investigated. Due to the interrelatedness of BMI and physical fitness, the aim of this study is to determine the predictive value of these factors in relation to low motor competence in school-aged children living in low-resourced areas. Motor competence and physical fitness were assessed in 1037 school-aged Ghanaian and South African children using the Performance and Fitness test battery (PERF-FIT). "Low motor competence" was predicted using odds ratios calculated from backward logistic regression analyses. Low motor competence was less prevalent in Ghanaian children (3.7-11.1%) compared to the South African children (21.9-24.2%). Increased BMI and decreased muscular fitness predicted low motor competence in both Ghanaian and South African children. For example, the chance for a Ghanaian child to have low static balance increased by 22.8% (OR = 1.228, p p < 0.001) with a 10-cm increase on the standing long jump. In the case of the South African children, if their BMI increased by 1 point, the chance for those children of having low static balance increased by 7.9%, and if their SLJ performance decreased by 10 cm, their chance of low performance increased by 13%. Clearly, motor competence is associated with both BMI and muscular fitness. Policy makers can use this information to counteract the establishment of childhood obesity by promoting weight control through physical activity and stimulating motor competence at school

Body mass index · Competence (human resources · Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Logistic regression · Longitudinal study · Motor skill · Odds · Physical fitness · Physical therapy · Population · Socioeconomic status · Child Development and Education · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Demography · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology · Internal Medicine

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