Evidence on the link between developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and obesity and overweight is mixed. Based on a pre-registered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42023429432), we conducted the first systematic review/meta-analysis on the association between DCD and excessive weight. Web of Science, PubMed and an institutional database aggregator were searched until the 18th of December 2023. We assessed study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and study heterogeneity using Q and I2 statistics. Data from 22 studies were combined, comprising 11,330 individuals out of which 1861 had DCD. The main analysis showed a significant association between DCD and higher body weight (OR:1.87, 95 % CI =1.43, 2.44). Meta-regression analyses indicated that the relationship was mediated by age, with stronger effects in studies with higher mean age (p 0.004). We conclude that DCD is associated with obesity and overweight, and this association increases with age. Our study could help to implement targeted prevention and intervention measures.

Introduction: Central coherence is the normal tendency to process and give meaning to incoming information taking into account the context or global view of that information.Methods: We assessed the central coherence of 252 school children of normal intelligence between 6 and 11 years old. We compared the performance of two groups: (a) a control group (n = 194), and (b) a clinical group (n = 58) comprising children with NVLD+ADHD (n = 24), ADHD alone (n = 16), SCD (n = 8) and level-1ASD (n = 10) (Kluskall-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U were calculated to make comparisons within groups and between pairs of groups). The effects of medication were studied (Student’s t test).Results: The NVLD+ADHD, SCD and ASD1 groups showed weak central coherence. The performance of the ADHD group was normal and differed significantly from the NVLD+ADHD group.Conclusion: Central coherence deficit was not exclusive to ASD1: it also characterizes NVLD and SCD.

Background/Objectives: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects approximately 5% of children globally and is characterized by motor difficulties that can negatively impact physical activity levels and increase the risk of obesity. Understanding the behavioral and physiological profiles of children with DCD is essential for early intervention. This cross-sectional study compared physical activity, dietary habits, and obesity indicators between children with DCD and their typically developing (TD) peers. Methods: A total of 243 children (134 boys, 109 girls) aged 6.65 to 11.65 years (M = 9.50, SD = 1.38) from two mainstream schools in the Chartered Community of Navarre, Spain, participated in the study. Children with conditions that could explain poor motor development were excluded based on DSM-5 Criterion D. Motor competence was evaluated using the FUNMOVES (n = 243) and MABC-2 tools (n = 49). Physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C), dietary habits with the Krece Plus questionnaire, and obesity indicators through bioimpedance analysis (Body Mass Index and body fat percentage). Regression analyses were adjusted for age and sex. Results: Children classified with probable DCD (pDCD) using FUNMOVES showed significantly higher BMI (95% CI: 0.96 to 4.30 kg/m²) and body fat percentage (95% CI: 3.99 to 10.24%) than TD peers. Differences in physical activity were not statistically significant between DCD and TD (95% CI: −0.68 to 0.01. No significant differences were found in dietary quality. When assessing motor development with MABC-2, the results followed similar trends but lacked statistical significance. Conclusions: Children with DCD are at increased risk of overweight and obesity, primarily due to lower physical activity rather than dietary differences. Early identification and targeted interventions are essential to promote healthier lifestyles in this population.

El TAP es una afectación poco conocida. Ha sido denominado de múltiples formas según los diferentes autores. Se diagnostica con menos frecuencia que otros trastornos del aprendizaje/neurodesarrollo debido a que los síntomas se confunden con frecuencia con los de otras patologías. Se caracteriza especialmente por una perturbación de la coordinación motora, aunque la causa explicativa del mismo reside en la dificultad para el desarrollo de ciertas habilidades perceptivo-motoras y de rutinas cognitivas. Actualmente hay una gran variedad de enfoques de intervención (sobre todo en el ámbito motor), con diverso grado de evidencia científica.

The Childhood Autism Spectrum Test-CAST (Scott et al., 2012) is a screening test for Asperger syndrome or autism spectrum disorder-grade 1 (ASD1). This study aims to analyze its different dimensions. Methodology: CAST was applied to 254 patients from the Neuropediatric Unit, aged 5 to 16 years, affected by: ASD1 (n = 17); social communication disorder (n = 43); procedural learning disorder (n = 60); attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (n = 44); intellectual disability (n = 30) and intellectual disability and epilepsy (n = 60). Results and discussion: with the traditional use of CAST in our clinical sample, 47.1% and 33.75% of false negatives and positives were obtained. A factor analysis of the 31 items of the questionnaire is carried out. A good fit of the data (KMO = 0.65 and MSA = 0.47-0.88), 7 factors are obtained, which explain 63% of the total variance. Reliability and validity are adequate. The discriminant analysis indicates that this new correction and interpretation allows classifying correctly 86.7% of the sample with or without difficulties in the social use of language. The most frequently altered dimensions in each clinical group are detailed. Conclusion: this analysis of CAST provides relevant information for the differential diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders.