Chinese researchers examined the effects of dance on the body composition of overweight and obese people.
- In overweight and obese adults, dancing improved their body mass, waist circumference, BMI, body fat, and fat mass.
- Thanks to this physical activity, patients would exercise regularly, because it provides a great feeling of pleasure.
- The latter is “particularly suited to the young population, i.e. adults under 45.”
Sport benefits the health of the heart, body and mind, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). “Physical activity refers to all the movements that we perform, particularly in the context of leisure, at the workplace or to move from one place to another,” noted the health authority.
Waist measurement, BMI: dancing promotes weight loss in obese and overweight patients
Although physical activity contributes to the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, it can be difficult to maintain long-term exercise habits. Recently, scientists from Hunan University of Science and Technology (China) suggested that dance, being a social and enjoyable form of exercise, could be an ideal solution for regular movement, as it is likely to be more enjoyable for patients.
To reach this conclusion, they conducted a study published in the journal Plos One. As part of the work, the team reviewed 654 research studies on the effects of dance interventions on body composition in overweight and obese people with normal lifestyles. Results showed that dancing led to significant improvements in body mass, waist circumference, BMI, body fat, and fat mass in overweight and obese patients.
“This physical activity preserves and enhances body morphology”
“For its great effectiveness and its greater feeling of pleasure, dance can be a beneficial physical intervention for fat loss. (…) Alongside weight loss, this physical activity preserves and enhances the body morphology of the participants. In addition, dance is particularly suitable for the young population, i.e. adults under 45 years old.concluded the authors, before adding that more in-depth research on this subject must be carried out.
