Can motor competence be a better predictor of adiposity indicators than physical activity in children? A longitudinal study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.31e0423Keywords:
Adiposity, Motor competence, Physical activity, ChildrenAbstract
Introduction: Adiposity indicators are considered key components of body composition and reliable health markers throughout childhood. Objective: This study analyzed whether motor competence (MC) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children were predictors of adiposity indicators after two years. Methods: A longitudinal study (Longitudinal Study of Health and Wellbeing in Preschool Age - ELOS-Pré) was conducted since 2010 and reassessed in 2012 and 2014. The current study followed 391 children (mean age 6.34 ± 0.72 years) enrolled in public and private schools during 2012 and 2014, from Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Adiposity indicators were evaluated using waist circumference (WC), the sum of tricipital and subscapular skinfolds (ΣSF), and body mass index (BMI). MVPA was measured using accelerometers. MC was assessed using the Körperkoordination Test für Kinder (KTK), considering the sum of raw scores. Linear regressions were performed for all analyses. Results: MC showed negative association with ΣSF (β = -0.09; p < 0.01), BMI (β = -0.02; p < 0.01) and WC (β = -0.07; p < 0.01); for both the total sample and girls/boys separately. MVPA was negatively associated with BMI (β = -0.01; p = 0.01); however, differences were observed between girls and boys. Conclusions: MC and MVPA predict adiposity indicators in children after two years. However, MC seems to be a more suitable predictor of adiposity indicators in childhood.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Javiera Alarcón-Aguilar, Daniel da Rocha Queiroz, Fernanda Cunha Soares, Maria Mylena Aguiar de Lima, Carla Menêses Hardman, Rildo de Souza Wanderley Júnior, Jorge Mota, Carlos Cristi-Montero, Mauro Virgilio Gomes de Barros, Marcos André Moura dos Santos
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