The relationship between motor skills, ADHD symptoms, and childhood body weight. (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goulardins, Juliana B.; Rigoli, Daniela; Piek, Jan P.; Kane, Robert; Palácio, Siméia G.; Casella, Erasmo B.; Nascimento, Roseane O.; Hasue, Renata H.; Oliveira, Jorge A.
• Is Part Of: Research in developmental disabilities. Volume 55(2016:Aug.)
• Page Start: 279
• Page End: 286
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Motor impairment -- Overweight -- Obesity -- Children; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled children -- Education -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmental Disabilities -- Periodicals; Disabled -- Periodicals; Mental Retardation -- rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Personnes atteintes de troubles du développement -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Enfants atteints de troubles du développement -- Éducation -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Développement, Troubles du -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; 616.858800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2016.05.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-4222

Abstract

Highlights: Despite past evidence linking ADHD symptoms with obesity no correlations were found. Balance was the only motor skill associated with BMI. The proportion of overweight ADHD children was less than control and MI children. The proportion of underweight ADHD children was greater than underweight MI children. Abstract: Background: Research has suggested an important association between motor proficiency and overweight/obesity. Many children with motor difficulties experience ADHD symptoms which have also been linked with overweight/obesity. Previous research has not considered both ADHD and motor performance when investigating their relationship with overweight/obesity. Aims: To investigate the relationships between motor performance, ADHD symptoms, and overweight/obesity in children. Methods and procedures: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving189 children aged six to 10 years. Symptoms of ADHD were identified using the SNAP-IV rating scale. Motor impairment (MI) was identified using the Movement Battery Assessment for Children-2. Body composition was estimated from the Body Mass Index (BMI) based on World Health Organization child growth standards. Outcomes and results: Balance was the only motor skill associated with BMI even after controlling for gender and ADHD. Group comparisons revealed that the proportion of overweight ADHD children was significantly less than the proportion of overweight control children and overweight MI children; the proportion of underweight ADHD children was significantly greater than the proportion of underweight MI children. Conclusions and implications: The results highlight the importance of taking into consideration both ADHD symptoms and motor difficulties in the assessment and intervention of physical health outcomes in children with ADHD and/or movement problems.