Body size, body composition and motor performances of mild-to-moderately undernourished Senegalese children

Abstract

Relationships between anthropometric dimensions (stature, weight, arm and calf circumferences, and four subcutaneous skinfolds), and motor performances (dash, standing long jump, throw for distance and grip strength) were considered in 348 mild-to-moderately undernourished Senegalese children 5–13 years of age (168 boys and 180 girls). Weights and statures are, on average, below the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference medians at each age, and deviations are more pronounced in children >8 years of age and in boys more than girls. Boys, on average, perform better than girls on all tasks. Stature and weight explain about 30–50% of the variance in the performances of children 10 years of age. Indicators of body composition (estimated arm muscle and subcutaneous fat) have only a limited contribution to the remaining variance in motor performances. Fatness negatively affects the performances of girls >10 years, but has no effect on performances of boys.