Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.69589/hsv.40.2.8
WEIGHT-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN MOTOR COMPETENCE OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
Sanja Šalaj
orcid.org/0000-0002-8581-1958
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Kinesiology
*
Sara Cobal
; Croatian Medical Association, Zagreb
Dominik Vlašić
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Kinesiology
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Purpose of this study was to determine differences in motor skills and abilities in 3–7-year-old children across different weight categories, ranging from thin to obese. A total of 732 preschoolers (384 boys and 348 girls) attending public kindergartens in Croatia participated. They were divided into two age groups: under five years and over five years and categorized according to body mass index (BMI) following WHO classifications. Measurements included anthropometric assessments and motor evaluations using the Test of Gross Motor Development – Second Edition (TGMD-2) and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency – Second Edition (BOT-2). Data were analyzed with Statistica v.13. The prevalence of obesity was 1.2% among children under five and 5.25% among those over five, lower than rates reported in other European countries and globally. Analysis of variance showed no significant differences in TGMD-2 scores across weight categories in either age group. However, significant differences emerged in BOT-2 results: in both younger (F = 4.24; p < 0.01) and older children (F = 5.72; p < 0.01), obese children achieved the lowest scores, with post-hoc tests confirming significant differences between obese and normal-weight peers. These findings suggest that while fundamental motor patterns remain preserved in overweight and obese preschoolers, difficulties arise in more physically demanding tasks requiring strength and endurance. The results underscore the importance of early and targeted interventions in preschool and sports settings to promote motor competence and physical fitness in children of all weight categories.
Keywords
motor skills, physical activity, obesity
Hrčak ID:
340614
URI
Publication date:
9.12.2025.
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