Objectives To investigate the association between motor competence (MC) and central obesity in preschool children. Methods The sample comprised of 472 children aged 3 to 5 years (4.58 ± 0.70 years, 248 boys) from Recife, Brazil. MC was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development‐2. Waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR) was calculated and a cutoff of 0.5 was used to define central obesity. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between MC and WHtR ≥ 0.5. Results The prevalence of central obesity (WHtR) was 54.0% and 46.4% for boys and girls, respectively. Older children (OR = 0.61; CI = 0.44‐0.84; P < .01) and those with higher MC in locomotor skills (OR = 0.96; CI = 0.93‐0.99; P < .01) were less likely to present WHtR ≥ 0.5. Sex and object control skills were not associated with WHtR ≥ 0.5. Conclusions To reduce the risks of central obesity in children, health practitioners should focus on increasing competence in locomotor skills since preschool years.