Mothers and Girls Dancing Together Trial
Mothers and Girls Dancing Together Trial
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.
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.
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)