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. Here, we conducted a randomized pilot intervention of African Dance 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 = .005), such that the African Dance group lost weight (M = 4.0 ± 6.0 lbs.), while the Culture Education group gained weight (M = 2.6 ± 3.9 lbs.). 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.