An after-school dance and lifestyle education program reduces risk factors for heart disease and diabetes in elementary school children

Background: Forty-three percent of New York City ’ s (NYC) school-age children are overweight or obese, placing them at risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if an intensive after-school dance and lifestyle education program would reduce risk factors for heart disease, T2DM, and improve lifestyle choices. Subjects: Subject include 64 fourth- and fi fth-grade students at an elementary school in NYC. Methods: Students received freestyle dance and lifestyle classes for 16 weeks and were evaluated for changes in body composition, endurance, biochemical measurements, and lifestyle choices. Results: Signifi cant improvements in BMI percentiles were found among children in the overweight and obese categories as well as in endurance and biochemical measurements that refl ect heart disease and diabetes risk. Improvement was also reported in lifestyle choices. Conclusion: An intensive after-school dance and lifestyle education program can reduce risk factors for heart disease and T2DM and improve lifestyle choices among elementary school children.