One half hour of dancing will burn between 200 and 400 calories, about what you'd burn by walking, swimming, or riding a bike. Take square dancers, for example. One square dancer covers five miles in a single evening of dancing. That's about 500 calories burned. Of course, you could get the same benefit from running five miles, but you'd feel silly in those western plaid running shorts.
Dancing can help prevent it.
Regular physical activity helps maintain strong, healthy bones. The more you rock and roll, the more you strengthen those bones. Dancing also helps you get over other conditions. Ask your doctor or therapist about supplementing that walking program with a dancing plan. Dancing can be every bit as good as aerobics or jogging.