Motor competence and body mass index in the preschool years: a pooled cross-sectional analysis of 5545 children from eight countries

Background and Objective: One in five preschool children are overweight/obese, and increased weight status over time increases the risks of poorer future health. Motor skill competence may be a protective factor, giving children the ability to participate in health-enhancing physical activity. Yet, we do not know when the relationship between motor competence and weight status first emerges or whether it is evident across the body mass index spectrum. This study examined the association between motor skill competence and body mass index in a multi-country sample of 5545 preschoolers (54.36±9.15months of age; 50.5%boys) from eight countries. Methods: Quantile regression analyses were used to explore the associations between motor skill competence(assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second/Third Edition)and quantiles of body mass index(15th; 50th; 85th;and 97th percentiles), adjusted for sex, age in months, and country. Results: Negative associations of locomotor skills, ball skills, and overall motor skill competence with body mass index percentiles (p