Movement skill mastery in a clinical sample of overweight and obese children

This study describes the prevalence of fundamental movement skill (FMS) mastery and advanced skill proficiency among treatment-seeking 6-10-year old children with overweight/obesity. A total of 132 participants (8.4 ± 1.0 years, BMI 24.2 ± 3.1 kg/m(2), 55% female, 76.5% obese) were assessed on 12 FMS and compared with a normative sample. The prevalence of FMS mastery was significantly lower among children categorized as overweight/obese for all skills across all age groups (all p < 0.05). Excluding the leap for 6-7-year olds, differences between the two samples remained when the prevalence of advance skill proficiency was examined for children categorized as overweight/obese. Physical activity programs designed for children with overweight/obesity need to address deficiencies in FMS proficiency as part of an overall strategy to promote physical activity participation.