Harmonious physique development and obesity prevention of preschool girls

Abstract

Introduction: The main threats to the health and harmonious physical development of preschool children are overweight, obesity and abnormalities in the physique development. The aim of the study was to verify if particular (harmonious physique development and obesity prevention) PE intervention is more effective than standard PE classes for preschool children. Material and methods: Participants: The thirty healthy preschool girls (5-6 aged). All children practiced PE classes 3 times a week. Group 1 practiced the traditional PE sessions (games, gymnastic and dancing). Group 2 except games and dancing used a particular PE training (purposeful development of the shoulder girdle, upper limbs and motor abilities). The study used methods for estimating height and body weight, BMI, body composition, participants' biacromial breadth and Rees-Eysenck body index (REBI). Results: There were significant (p≤0.05) differences in BMI and biacromial breadth values between of participants' group in the study ending. Group 2 had a significantly (p≤0.05) lower BMI and a larger shoulder width values. Body composition assessment showed a significantly (p≤0.05) higher percentage of bone and muscle mass in group 2. There was a significant decrease in the participants' number of normosthenic body type in group 1. A significant increase in the participants' number of normosthenic body type and decrease in the in the participants' number of pyknic body type were found in group 2. Conclusions: PE programs related to the purposeful development of the shoulder girdle, upper limbs and motor skills contributes to the process of harmonious physique development of preschool girls (aged 5-6). An higher positive effect of using this PE practice in the control of body weight and BMI dynamics in preschool girls was found.