Mothers and Girls Dancing Together Trial

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Physical Activity
• Interventions: Other: Newsletter; Behavioral: Girls and mothers Afro-centric dance program; Behavioral: Girls, alone

• Registration Number: NCT01588379
• Lead Sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and efficacy of a 12-week afterschool afro-centric dance physical activity program for daughters and mothers on the physical activity level of African-American girls.

Detailed Description

Like African-American women, African-American girls suffer disproportionately from obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. One factor strongly associated with the development of obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus disparities in children is low physical activity levels. Low physical activity is more prevalent in African-American girls, pointing to the critical need for effective physical activity interventions. For a physical activity intervention message to be effective among African-American girls, the program must be enjoyable and tailored to African-American girls and women. One possibility for an appropriate physical activity intervention is afro-centric dance, which has strong cultural and historical significance in the African-American community. This form of physical activity may provide girls with sustained bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. There appears to be a strong positive correlation between parental and children physical activity levels. In the African-American culture, maternal health behaviors in particular have a strong influence on children's health behaviors. Currently, there are no studies that examine the effects of a daughter-mother Afro-centric dance program on the physical activity levels of African-American girls. Therefore, the purpose of this study will be to examine the feasibility and efficacy of a 12-week physical activity intervention consisting of afro-centric dance and its ability to affect the physical activity levels of African-American girls. If investigators identify afro-centric dance as a sustainable form of physical activity for African-American daughters and mothers, investigators can use this intervention to significantly reduce obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus in these groups.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2012-04-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-04-26
• Study First Posted: 2012-05-01
• Study Start: 2013-01
• Primary Completion: 2014-08
• Study Completion: 2014-08
• Status Verified: 2016-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-06-07
• Last Update Posted: 2023-06-08

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 152

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

• Unable to wear the activity monitor
• Unable to participate in physical activity, require oxygen supplementation for exertion, have a developmental or physical disability preventing participation, cannot increase their physical activity for any reason, uncorrected structural heart disease)
• If girl and/or mother is unable to read, understand, or complete the informed consent or surveys in English.
• Musculoskeletal injuries or disorders that would prevent participation
• Taking diabetes (type 1 or 2), renal diseases, eating disorder, pregnancy medication
• Take medications affecting growth (e.g., insulin, oral hypoglycemic, thyroid hormone)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
No dancing	Newsletter	African-American girls and their mom's will only receive weekly newsletter that focuses on health related issues.
Girls and mothers dance together	Girls and mothers Afro-centric dance program	African-American girls AND their mom's will participate in the Afro-centric dance program together and also receive weekly newsletter that focuses on health related issues.
Girls, alone	Girls, alone	African-American girls will participate in the Afro-centric dance program alone. Girls and mom's will receive weekly newsletter that focuses on health related issues

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from baseline in physical activity level at 12-weeks	Baseline, 6-weeks and 12-weeks after study initiation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in body mass index, fasting insulin, and psychosocial	Baseline and 12-weeks after the initiation of the study protocol

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Organizations, Churches, and Elementary Schools; 🇺🇸 Springfield, Massachusetts, United States