Mothers and Girls Dancing Together Trial

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

Official Title
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Effects of an Afro-centric Dance Program for African-American Daughters and Mothers

Conditions
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Physical Activity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Girls and mothers Afro-centric dance program
* Behavioral: Girls, alone
* Other: Newsletter


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria for Girls: 7 -10 yrs old on the date of randomization Defined as African-American if her parent/guardian identifies her as such No inclusion criteria will be used for mothers 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)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 7 Years
Maximum Age: 11 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Girls and mothers dance together<br>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. | Behavioral: Girls and mothers Afro-centric dance program<br>* African-American girls and their mom's will participate in an after school Afro-centric dance program for 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Both girls and the mothers will also receive weekly newsletter containing various health information.<br>* Other names: Girls and mothers, together;|
| Experimental: Girls, alone<br>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 | Behavioral: Girls, alone<br>* African-American girls (without their mom's) will participate in an after school Afro-centric dance program for 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Both girls and the mothers will also receive weekly newsletter containing various health information.<br>|
| Active Comparator: No dancing<br>African-American girls and their mom's will only receive weekly newsletter that focuses on health related issues. | Other: Newsletter<br>* Both girls and the mothers will receive weekly newsletter containing various health information.<br>* Other names: Control;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline in physical activity level at 12-weeks |  | Baseline, 6-weeks and 12-weeks after study initiation | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in body mass index, fasting insulin, and psychosocial |  | Baseline and 12-weeks after the initiation of the study protocol |