A longitudinal study of gross motor coordination and weight status in children

TLDR

The study examined how children’s weight status and gross motor coordination influence each other over time, considering baseline physical activity as a potential mediator. Researchers measured BMI, gross motor coordination (KTK), and physical activity in 2,517 children at baseline and reassessed 754 at follow‑up, then tested two mediation models using mixed‑effects analysis. Lower baseline gross motor coordination predicted higher BMI gain, while higher baseline BMI predicted poorer coordination, indicating a reciprocal negative relationship that should inform prevention strategies.

Abstract

Objective This longitudinal study investigated the interrelationship between children's weight status and level of gross motor coordination over time, taking baseline physical activity (PA) into account as a possible mediator. Methods Baseline measurements were collected in 2517 children (5-13 years, 52.8% boys), including (1) body height and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI) z-scores, (2) gross motor coordination using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK), (3) total PA estimated by a questionnaire. At follow-up, 754 participants (7-13 years, 50.8% boys) underwent anthropometric and KTK assessments again. Two hypothesized partial mediation models (i.e., KTK ↔ PA ↔ BMI z-score) were examined by multiple linear mixed models. Results A lower performance on the KTK at baseline significantly predicted an increase in BMI z-score (B = −0.003, P = 0.027). Conversely, a higher baseline BMI z-score also predicted a decrease in KTK performance (B = −1.792, P < 0.001). Since total PA at baseline was not significantly related to initial KTK performance (B = 1.628, P = 0.134) nor BMI z-score (B = 25.312, P = 0.130), its mediating effect was not further explored. Conclusions Our results strongly suggest that children's weight status negatively influences future level of gross motor coordination, and vice versa. Prevention and intervention initiatives should consider this reciprocal causal relationship across developmental time.