Exploring the Impact of Malnutrition on Motor Development in Pakistani Children

Background: Malnutrition remains a significant public health concern in Pakistan, affecting physical and cognitive development in children. Motor development, a critical marker of early growth, is particularly vulnerable to nutritional deficits, with stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies contributing to delays.Objective: To assess the impact of malnutrition on motor development in Pakistani children aged 4 to 6 years.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 116 children aged 4–6 years from the slum areas of Lahore. Nutritional status was assessed using Weight-for-Age Z-scores (WAZ) and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) based on WHO standards. Motor development was evaluated using the Motor-Proficiency-Test for children (MOT 4-6), focusing on gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and body coordination. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with chi-square tests applied to assess associations (p<0.05).Results: The mean age was 48.26 ± 7.42 months, with 42.2% male and 57.8% female participants. Among them, 44.0% were underweight (WAZ < -2) and 55.2% had moderate acute malnutrition (MUAC 115–124 mm). Motor development was delayed in 24.1% and borderline in 37.1%. A significant association was observed between WAZ and MUAC scores with motor development (p<0.001).Conclusion: Malnutrition significantly impairs motor development, emphasizing the need for targeted nutritional interventions and developmental screening to improve outcomes in resource-limited settings.