Associations Between Body Mass Index, Movement Behaviors, Motor Skills, Inhibition and Visuospatial Working Memory in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on WHO References
Abstract
Highlights What are the main findings? In Tunisian preschool children aged 4–5 years, Body Mass Index (BMI) according to World Health Organization (WHO) references is primarily associated with anthropometric characteristics such as weight, height, and BMI-for-age z-score. Statistically significant associations were observed for age and sleep duration between certain BMI groups, but these differences have limited practical relevance. No statistically significant associations were observed between BMI and daily physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), screen time (ST), executive functions (inhibition, working memory), or gross and fine motor skills (functional mobility, postural steadiness, lower and upper body strength, dexterity). What are the implications of the main findings? The small sample size, particularly for the underweight group, limits statistical power, so these results should be interpreted with caution. Future studies should include larger and more balanced samples, longitudinal or intervention designs, and examine mediating and moderating factors to clarify the relationships between BMI, PA, and early childhood development. Early childhood remains a key window for universal interventions to promote healthy growth, PA, and cognitive-motor development, regardless of weight status. Abstract Background: Early childhood represents a key stage for the development of movement behaviors (MB), motor skills (MS), and executive functions (EF). Body Mass Index…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 112 participants or records.
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