Weight-Loss Outcomes from a Pilot Study of African Dance in Older African Americans

Objective Obesity is a risk factor for both cognitive and physical impairment in late adulthood. Though the rates of obesity are high in many groups, older African Americans are disproportionately affected. A randomized pilot intervention of African Dance was conducted with 28 African American older adults with obesity (mean age = 68.4 +/- 5.1 years; mean BMI = 33.4 +/- 6.2). The goal of the study was to evaluate the physiological outcomes of a culturally sensitive exercise intervention and specifically changes in weight. Methods Participants were randomly assigned to an African Dance (experimental) or Culture Education (control) group. They attended their assigned class for 1 hour per session, 3 days per week, for 6 months. Results There was a significant group x time interaction on weight (P = 0.005) such that the African Dance group lost weight (mean = 4.0 +/- 6.0 lb) while the Culture Education group gained weight (mean = 2.6 +/- 3.9 lb). Conclusions These results suggest that a culturally sensitive form of physical activity, African Dance, may be effective for promoting weight loss in a population at increased risk for obesity and cognitive decline.