Developmental pathways of change in health-related fitness and motor competence are related to obesity development in childhood

The epidemic obesity in chi1dhood is well acknowledged worldwide. Althongh researchers agree that explaining models for childhood obesity can include several risk factors, the question remains as to which speci fic predictors can be the touchstone to solving the probIem. In recent years, a modeI of developmental mechanisms influencing the physical activity and weight pathways of children has been presented by Stodden and colleagnes (2008). In this model it is predicted that children wiU evolve throngh a positive spiral of engagement, or else through a negative spiral of disengagement, depending on the recursive effects of exercise and physical fitness, allied to motor competence and perceived motor competence during childhood. This study partially tests tor this mo deI, examining how different developmental pathways of physicaI fitness and motor competence relate to weight statns at the end of childhood. Five hnndred and seven primary school children were assessed annually on their growth, fitness and motor competence. Three groups were formed according to their rate of change in fitness and motor performance (slow, average, and high rate of change). A logistic regression was nsed to predict the odds ratio of becoming overweight or obese depending on the developmental pathway of change in fitness and motor competence along childhood. Resnlts show that children that experienced a negative deveIopment on fitness and motor competence were severaI times more prone to become overweight or obese (OW+O) at the end of childhood (OR from 3.2 to 7.1). Negative deve10pment on cardiorespiratory fitness, arm strength, and standing long jump performance, assumed thc most. significant risk values for developing an OW+O condition. In conc1usion, developing a positive fitness and motor competence pathway during childhood protects from obesity and overweight status. These resnlts are in accordance with the theoretical modeI of Stodden and colleagues (2008)