Influence Of Central Obesity On Motor Proficiency In School Children Of Kolkata

Objectives: The influence of obesity in terms of body mass index (BMI) on motor proficiency (MP) has been investigated but results are not uniform. The central obesity (CO) is better indicator of body fat than BMI but its effect on MP has not been studied. The present study aimed to determine the influence of CO on MP in school children of Kolkata. Materials and methods: 843 school children of Kolkata aged 5-12 years were categorized into different grades of CO as per British and Indian reference values depending on waist circumference. MP was measured by Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor-Proficiency-Second Edition-Short Form (BOT-2 SF). Results: Centrally overweight children (according to both references) scored significantly higher than that of normal children. The centrally obese children as per British reference scored significantly higher in BOT-2 SF standardized scores than that of normal children but obese children as per Indian reference did not show any change than that of normal /overweight children. There was a significant relationship between grades of CO and MP categories. BOT-2 SF standardized scores were significantly correlated with grades of CO. Discussion: CO is correlated with MP and excess body fat can facilitate MP to some extent but higher level of body fat may not be facilitatory even though not inhibitory in school children of Kolkata.