Socioeconomic Inequalites in Fundamental Movement Skills in Chinese Preschool Children

Background: Studies have explored the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and fundamental movement skills (FMS) in preschool children. However, socioeconomic inequalites in FMS among Chinese preschoolers have not been investigated.
Purpose: This study aims to investigate the socioeconomic inequalities in FMS of Chinese preschool children.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, the study was conducted in five kindergartens located in Jiangsu and Henan Provinces. A multi-stage and random cluster sampling method was used and 602 preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years (56.1% boys) were recruited. SES was evaluated by parental education and categorized into three levels (high, medium and low). FMS were assessed using the Chinese Fundamental Movement Skills Test (CFMST). Social demographic indicators including BMI, grade and sex were collected. Generalized Linear Model analyses were conducted, with adjustments.
Results: Compared to preschoolers from high SES group, those from medium or low SES groups showed poorer performance in locomotor skills: 10-m shuttle run (low: β = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.19-0.68, medium: β = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.52), hopping (low: β = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.45-2.17, medium: β = 1.73, 95% CI: 0.34-1.05); object control skills: kicking (low: β = 1.83, 95% CI: 0.46-3.20, medium: β = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.03-3.17) and jamming coins (low: β = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.57-2.15, medium: β = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.14-1.38), and stability: balance beam (low: β = 3.81, 95% CI: 1.09-6.53, medium: β = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.83-5.09). These socioeconomic inequalities pattern were even obivious among girls and the youngest prechoolers.
Conclusions: Socioecomonic inequalities were found in FMS of Chinese preschool children, especially among girls and the youngest.
Practical implications: FMS intervention for prechoolers should target those from low and medium SES groups, with focus on girls and the youngest children.
Funding: National Social Science Foundation of China (No. 19BTY077)