Waist circumference and motor coordination in Portuguese school children Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • Introduction: Children’s motor coordination may affect their activity pattern and thereby influence their body-fatness. The aim of this study was to analyze the relation between motor coordination and waist circumference (WC) levels, in a Portuguese sample of school children aged 8–12 years old. Methods: The sample comprised 402 urban school children (girls- 46.8%), aged 8 to 12 years old (mean 9.6 = ± 0.6 years) from North of Portugal. WC was measured with standardize protocols. Age- and sex-adjusted Z-scores were also computed for WC. Motor coordination levels were assessed with the Ko¨ rperkoordination Test fu¨ r Kinder (KTK) and children were classified according to age-and sex KTK criteria [1]. Results: In motor coordination, 27.1% girls showed disturbance of coordination; 33.5% insufficiencies of coordination; 39.4% normal coordination and 0% good coordination. Corresponding figures for boys were 7.9%; 39.3; 50.9%, and 1.9% respectively (P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that Z-Scores WC were negatively associated with motor coordination (Unstandardized B = -5642 SE:0.706, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Low-motor coordination levels are negatively associated with waist circumference Z-scores. The early identification of children with poor motor coordination is crucial in order to implement and develop health-related behaviors.

publication date

  • January 1, 2010