Cultural Dance and Health: a Review of the Literature
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Feature Article Cultural Dance and Health: A Review of the Literature Anna E. Olvera ABSTRACT Physical activity has many physical and mental health outcomes. However, physical inactivity continues to be com- mon. Dance, specifically cultural dance, is a type of physical activity that may appeal to some who are not otherwise active and may be a form of activity that is more acceptable than others in certain cultures. The purpose of this paper is to summarize literature describing the health benefits of cultural dance. Several databases were searched to identify articles published within the last 15 years, describing physical and mental health outcomes of cultural dance or inter- ventions that incorporated cultural dance. In the seven articles reviewed there is evidence to support the use of cultural dance for preventing excessive weight gain and cardiac risk, reducing stress, and increasing life satisfaction. Cultural dance is a practical form of physical activity to promote physical and mental health among subgroups of populations that often have lower amounts of participation in physical activity. There is a need for additional research to isolate how and in what ways cultural dance can be offered to promote physical activity. Practitioners should consider non- traditional forms of physical activity, offered in partnership with community organizations. BACKGROUND income. One survey conducted between ditional physical activities and gym classes.7 Physical activity is important to a healthy 1999 and 2002 found significant differ- Women in minority groups, specifically lifestyle. With health problems such as dia- ences in BMI between African-American African-American and Mexican American betes1 and obesity2 reaching epidemic pro- and Caucasian girls (p < 0.001) with rates women, tend to have higher levels of leisure portions, there is a need for programs that of 20.4% and 19.0%, respectively). In ad- time inactivity than Caucasian women.3 Dif- encourage regular participation in physical dition, African-American girls’ mean BMI ferences are maintained when controlling for activity among a variety of communities.3 z-score rates increased 0.71 compared to economic, educational, and social factors. A Being overweight is a significant predictor of Caucasian girls’ increase of 0.30 between change in physical activity level for all people chronic health conditions such as diabetes, the examination periods of 1971-1974-and is needed and, based on research, more so for hypertension, and heart disease;4 and racial 1999-2002.6 disparities in the prevalence of overweight Physical activity programs are one exist. In the United States for example, method to prevent obesity, however, not all Anna E. Olvera is a clinical research coordina- African-American girls have a higher Body groups respond well to traditional physical tor in the Research and Education Department, Mass Index (BMI) as compared to Caucasian activity programs such as running, walking, Scott and White memorial Hospital, 2401 S. girls. The differences were independent and playing competitive sports. For example, 31st St., Temple, TX 76508; E-mail: aolvera@ of suspected contributing factors, such as young girls report little enthusiasm for tra- swmail.sw.org. American Journal of Health Education — November/December 2008, Volume 39, No. 6 353 Anna E. Olvera members of minority groups, not only to may be reinforced during cultural social mental health. Since the Jain and Brown24 increase physical activity but also to address dances and may be seen as more accepted article, more studies have tested the impact rising obesity.3, 6 from a community standpoint. Although of cultural dance. Given the possibility of Cultural Dance as a More Acceptable traditional forms of physical activity may benefit from this unique form of physical Form of Physical Activity be stereotyped as male activities in some activity, an updated review is needed. This Non-traditional types of exercise may cultures, cultural dance may be accepted as paper summarizes the literature describing better meet the activity needs of groups an appropriate form of physical activity for the benefits of cultural dance for improving 18 that do not respond to traditional physi- females. For instance, Native American physical and mental health. cal activity. Swimming, walking, soccer, women identified that participation in football, baseball, basketball, track, and/ traditional tribal dances enabled them to LITERATURE REVIEW STRATEGY 21 or cheerleading are examples of physical be physically active. Another benefit of cul- Cultural dance is defined in this review activity programs that are widely available, tural dance reported by participants was its as dance particular to a cultural or ethnic yet some individuals still do not partake link to culture. Cultural dance may serve as group that stemmed from the purpose of in these activities. Non-competitive dance an enjoyable group activity that strengthens celebration, whether it be religious, tem- may be a more viable alternative for those ties with others while serving as a reminder poral, or social.24 The review also includes who view traditional exercise negatively, of “home.” dance forms that have a cultural or com- such as girls who do not like to get hurt Groups may be more likely to partici- munity influence, such as step or hip-hop.24 in sports or prefer non-competitive forms pate in physical activities that are tailored Databases utilized for the review were Aca- of physical activity. Dance, in this respect, to their specific needs. Several studies have demic Search Premier, ERIC, PubMed, and is a highly preferred physical activity for demonstrated high recruitment rates when PsychInfo. Articles within the last 15 years many girls.7, 8 In addition, dance provides physical activity classes were geared to the describing cultural dance or evaluations other benefits as well including an outlet for musical and dance tastes of certain groups. of interventions that incorporated cultural emotional expression, stress reduction, and For example, Whitehorse and colleagues22 dance were included if benefits regarding creativity. Therefore, cultural dance is one designed and tested an intervention to physical or mental health were described, type of non-traditional physical activity increase participation in physical activity regardless of study design. The keywords that has the potential for positive impact by non-physically active Hispanics through used included cultural dance, ethnic dance, on community health related to both physi- salsa aerobics.22 Additionally, Visram et al.23 and country/continent specific terms such cal9,10 and mental health.11-16 designed an aerobic African dance class to as African dance. Another characteristic of cultural dance improve cardiac rehabilitation for South making it a marketable alternative to Asian women in the United Kingdom, many FINDINGS traditional physical activity is that it can of whom were of Pakistani and Bangladeshi Of the 23 articles located using the easily be tailored to fit the needs of a cer- origin and were Muslim. Cultural dance keywords, seven articles met criteria for tain population or to reach a certain goal. helped expand participants’ knowledge of selection in this review. Examples of stud- Many minority groups report barriers to dance and culture outside their own cul- ies not included: (1) gave instruction for traditional physical exercise, such as unsafe ture in a positive environment and through implementation; (2) showed no benefit; (3) places to exercise, childcare dilemmas, and physical activity. Cultural dance maintains described amount of time in activity only; unfamiliarity with exercise.17 Additionally, its global aspect of celebration and can be (4) did not mention type of ethnic dance; female family and social roles are seen as appreciated by anyone. (5) researched neurological brain waves re- hindrances to physical activity.18,19 Little In 2001, Jain and Brown24 systemati- lated to dance; (6) were written in a foreign equipment is needed for cultural dance and cally reviewed studies of cultural dance. Not language; (7) did not include cultural dance; practice space can vary as well.20 In addition, surprisingly, few studies were available for or (8) specified recruitment efforts only. The there is a dance style/genre for almost any review at that time that met their selec- articles included in the review describe the preference. Cultural dance itself has many tion criteria. If a study being published in use of cultural dance for preventing excessive different forms based on country of origin, scientific or professional literature was an weight gain and cardiac risk, reducing stress, varying options in manner of execution experimental study, the design included a and increasing life satisfaction. The findings (very traditional to theatrical/dramatic) and cultural dance activity intervention; if it was from these articles are described in more is suitable for all fitness levels and ages. descriptive, the information was provided detail in the sections on physical health and Cultural dance may be a more accepted on the function of a particular dance activ- mental health. Few studies incorporated an form of dance than other forms among ity. Still, the authors24 were able to conclude experimental research design. Table 1 sum- ethnic minority groups due to social that participation in cultural dance can marizes studies and evaluations included norms. Cultural codes of dress and behavior produce benefits in