title: Developmental Coordination Disorder, gender, and body weight: examining the impact of participation in active play.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To examine whether differences in participation in active play (PAP) can account for gender differences in the relationship between Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and body weight/fat (BMI and percentage fat) in youth.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional investigation of students in grades four through eight (n = 590). Height, weight (BMI), and percentage body fat using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA; RJL Systems, MI) were collected. Motor proficiency and physical activity levels were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found gender specific patterns in the relationship between PAP, DCD, and BMI and body fat. Among boys with DCD, greater participation in active play is associated with higher BMI and percentage body fat. For girls with the disorder, the opposite relationship is observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in active play moderates the association between DCD, gender and body weight. Three possible explanations for why PAP is associated with higher BMI and percentage body fat in boys with DCD are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cairney
authors.forename: Matthew Y W
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.forename: Brent E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Faught
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data