Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate gross and fine motor skill in overweight and obese children compared with normal-weight peers. According to international cut-off points for Body Mass Index (BMI) from Cole et al. (2000), all 117 participants (5-10 year) were classified as being normal-weight, overweight, or obese. Level of motor skill was assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). Scores for balance (p <.01) and ball skills (p <.05) were significantly better in normal-weight and overweight children as compared with their obese counterparts. A similar trend was found for manual dexterity (p <.10). This study demonstrates that general motor skill level is lower in obese children than in normal-weight and overweight peers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 21-37 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2009 |
Keywords
- motor skill
- body mass index
- children