The ability of different measures of adiposity to discriminante between low/high motor coordination

Several anthropometric measures, indices and other techniques have been used in the literature on associations between adiposity and MC. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the ability of different measures of adiposity to discriminate between low/high motor coordination (MC). Methods A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted on 596 Portuguese children’s, aged 9- 12 years during the 2009/2010 academic year. Weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were objectively measured by standardized protocols. Body fat percentage (BF%) was estimated by bioelectric impedance. Body mass index (weight/hight2) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were computed. MC was assessed with the Körperkoordination Test für Kinder (Kiphard & Schiling, 1974). Cardiorespiratory fitness was predicted by a maximal multistage 20m shuttle-run test of the Fitnessgram Test Battery (Welk & Meredith, 2008). A questionnaire was used for assess mother’s educational level. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and logistic regression were performed. Results ROC curve analysis showed that all measures of adiposity performed well on average in identifying low MC, as indicated by the area under the curve greater than 0.6. The ROC performance of BF% showed a slightly better discriminatory accuracy than BMI, WC and WHtR in predicting low MC in girls. In boys, the ROC performance of WC showed a slightly better discriminatory accuracy than BMI, BF% and WHtR in predicting low MC. After adjustments, logistic regression analyses showed that BMI, WC, %BF and WHtR were positively and significantly associated with MC in both sexes, with exception of WHtR in girls. Discussion Measurement issues may potentially play a role in obscuring the relationship between adiposity and MC. BF% and WC showed a slightly better discriminatory accuracy in predicting low MC, for girls and for boys, respectively. References Kiphard, E. J., & Schiling, F. (1974). Körperkoordination Test für Kinder, KTK. Beltz Test Gmbh. Weinheim. Welk, G. J., & Meredith, M. D. (Eds.). (2008). Fitnessgram / Activitygram Reference Guide (3 ed.). Dallas, TX: The Cooper Institute