Deficits in anthropometric indices of nutritional status and motor performance among low birth weight children from Maputo City, Mozambique.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate associations between low birth weight (LBW) and anthropometry, body composition, physical fitness, and gross motor coordination among schoolchildren from Maputo, Mozambique.


METHODS
A total of 353 children aged 7 to 10 years old from both genders born in Maputo (Mozambique) were sampled. The sample was divided into two groups: LBW (n = 155) and normal birth weight (NBW, n = 198). Body composition measurements and indices weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height were assessed. Physical fitness was assessed by handgrip strength, flexibility, agility, long jump, and running speed. Gross motor coordination was evaluated by using the Korper Koordination Test fur Kinder (KTK) battery.


RESULTS
LBW children were lighter and smaller than NBW children with reduced indices for weight-for-age and height-for-age. They also showed a reduced performance in handgrip strength and sideways movement tests. These differences remained significant even after adjustment for age, gender, body size, and fatness skinfold thickness.


CONCLUSIONS
LBW seems to be the major factor that influences anthropometry, and is a predictor of low muscle strength and low performance on sideways movement tests. This result suggests that growth faltering in LBW children is associated with adverse health consequences, even after controlling for gender, age, fatness, and body size.
Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Pedagogic University of Mozambique.|Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil.
Mario Eugénio
ME
Tchamo
Department of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Brazil.
Marcos André
MA
Moura-Dos-Santos
Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil.
Fernanda Karina
FK
Dos Santos
Research Group for Physical Activity and Health - CIDAF -FEFD, Pedagogic University of Mozambique.
António
A
Prista
Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil.|Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, CAV, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil.
Carol Góis
CG
Leandro
D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009073:Mozambique; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010809:Physical Fitness
Mozambique; birth weight; children; motor coordination; physical performance; stunting