Gross motor coordination in relation to weight status and age in 5- to 12-year-old boys and girls: A cross-sectional study

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in gross motor coordination in healthy-weight, overweight, and obese children of different ages. Methods. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected in 954 Flemish primary school children (500 girls, 454 boys) stratifi ed in consecutive age groups (5 - 7 years, 8 - 9 years, 10 - 12 years). Weight status (healthy-weight, overweight, obese) was defined according to the International Obesity Task Force body mass index (BMI) cut-off points for children. Gross motor coordination was assessed by means of the K ö rperkoordinationstest f ü r Kinder (KTK). Results. Childhood overweight and particularly obesity were found to result in poorer KTK performances (p