Exploring the interplay between physical activity levels, motor performance and BMI in children and adolescents: insights from the motor abilities observatory in Puglia

Sedentary habits stand out as primary contributors to the decline in physical activity levels and motor performance during childhood. Physical activity (PA) promotes the development of motor abilities, the acquisition of motor competencies, and provides preventative and protective effects against various non communicable diseases. Alarmingly, children and adolescents in Italy are falling short of complying with the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations for daily physical activity essential for promoting optimal health. This study aimed to assess and compare the physical activity levels and motor performance of a cohort comprising 313 children (M, age: 9.43 ± 0.79 years; F, age: 9.48 ± 0.60 years) and 313 adolescents (M, age: 11.89 ± 0.90 years; F, age: 11.86 ± 0.84 years). The participants were divided into subgroups based on variations in Body Mass Index (BMI). Utilizing a self-report tool (PAQ_C) and two motor tests, our aim was to evaluate the trends in physical activity and motor capabilities. The findings confirmed a significant decline in physical activity levels from childhood to adolescence, coupled with suboptimal motor performance in overweight and obese students. This article presents the initial outcomes of a regional investigation into the assessment of physical activity levels and motor abilities concerning gender and BMI variations among primary and middle school students in Puglia. The identified reduction in physical activity underscores the urgency for inter-institutional initiatives and multicomponent projects. These initiatives should emphasize the pivotal role of relationships between family, school, and sports in addressing and mitigating the alarming decline in physical activity levels among the youth.