Age Range: 8 to 10
Dance programs provide opportunities for physical activity for children who might not otherwise engage in exercise. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) created a multi-center research initiative called Girls Health Enrichment Multi-site Studies (GEMS), as a test program to prevent obesity in African American girls ages 8–10. Child-targeted programs to encourage physical fitness were implemented along with parent-targeted strategies to reinforce these new behaviors at home. GEMS’ goals were to increase the frequency of the girls’ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and promote nutrition-related healthy behaviors.
The Memphis research program, called GEMS Jamboree, was framed as a weekly, 90-minute program for 12 weeks. Sessions included a physical activity component called “Movin’ It,” a nutrition component called “Munchin’ It,” and a review session called “Taking it Home,” in which the key concepts of the day were reviewed and incentives were offered for healthy eating and engaging in physical activity. The “Movin’ It” component utilized hip-hop aerobics to show the girls that physical activity could be fun.
In the Stanford study, a key piece was the GEMS Jewels dance classes. These classes were offered once a week for three months and lasted for 2½ hours each. The sessions began with an introduction and healthful snack, then an hour-long homework period, followed by 45–60 minutes of moderate to vigorous dancing (including traditional African dance, Hip-Hop, and Step). Sessions ended with a 30-minute discussion exploring the importance of dance in the African American community and culture.
At the conclusion of both the Memphis and Stanford programs, the girls had lower BMI and waist circumference and reported an increase in their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. This research is currently in follow-up phase.
Resources
apps.nhlbi.nih.gov/popstudies/Contacts.ASP?TrialNumber=118
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Population Studies Database with contact information on GEMS trials
Contacts
University of Memphis Prevention Center
Center for Community Health
5050 Poplar Avenue, Suite 1800
Memphis, TN 38119
Phone: (901) 678-1678
Fax: (901) 678-1675
Stanford University School of Medicine
Division of General Pediatrics and of Medicine
1000 Welch Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: (650) 723-5331
Fax: (650) 725-6906
