Locomotion Level in Relation to Body Mass Index in Elementary School Children

Abstract

The objective of this research was to differentiate the levels of locomotion presented by children at the primary educational level in Mexico and their relationship based on the Body Mass Index they present. Methods. A total of 376 primary school children in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua were assessed in weight and height. Subsequently, the sample was selected and divided into four homogeneous work groups according to their Body Mass Index, being integrated as follows: 13 subjects with a diagnosis of Obesity, 15 with Overweight, 15 with Normal Weight and 15 with Underweight. To determine the locomotion of the groups, the locomotion subtest contained in the Gross Motor Development test (TGMD-2) was applied. Results. Two of the 6 skills evaluated in the locomotion subtest presented statistical differences between groups. In the case of the Horizontal Jump skill, the statistical difference was presented between the groups of children with Obesity (5.0±1.7) when compared with the group of children of normal weight (6.7±1.2), meanwhile in the ability to The statistical difference occurred between the groups of children with Obesity (6.4±1.4), with normal weight (7.5±0.8) and with those with low weight (6.4±1.4). Conclusions. Children with obesity and overweight have low levels of locomotion when compared to children of normal weight and underweight, however these differences are not significant in most of the skills assessed.