Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Sedentary lifestyle, decreased physical activity and poor diet contribute to the increasing problem of childhood obesity and risk for type 2 diabetes.

Aims: The purpose of this study was compare the effect of dance, with unstructured playtime, on the physical activity level of an underserved, urban population of children.

Methods: In this longitudinal study, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were measured during the first week of the four week program. Every week, heart rates (HR) and pedometer readings (PR) were recorded. Pre activity heart rates were obtained and a dance class was taught for 30 minutes, once a week. Resting HR and PR were measured after the dancing. During the non-dancing days, PR were taken to gauge physical activity during usual activity.

Results: 38 children (16 F, 22 M; 4.7–12.9 yr) participated in the study. Average BMI was 18.3 (±5.5); 20% were >85^th% for age and sex. Overall, the average PR measurement for dancing days was 1760 (±945) vs 851 (+619) on non-dancing days. The number of steps in dancing days was approximately double those in non-dancing weeks (P<0.001). Children 8–10 yr had more steps than younger and older age groups. Age had a quadratic association with PR (P<0.001). Males had 37.2% more steps than females (P=0.026); BMI was not found to be associated. Resting HR was significantly higher than baseline (P<0.001).

Conclusions/clinical implications: Children in this population were not physically fit as evidenced by their elevated resting heart rates after exercise. Implementing dancing increased steps and activity of the children. Dance is a culturally relevant, enjoyable, free and easily accessible method of activity. It is crucial for nurses in pediatric endocrinology to address the obesity epidemic with culturally appropriate interventions and to partner with the community to tackle this public health crisis.

Comments/keywords: Keywords: Children, Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, Activity, Culturally relevant