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Hip-Hop: Dancing Your Way to Better Health

Posted November 20, 2007 at 01:00 PM by Denise Musumeci

Section: In The News, His Fitness, Alt. Therapies, His Health, Mental Health, Physical Health, Lifestyle Health

Hip-hop is considered an important development in the history of music. This is because, for the first time [according to Wikipedia] non-tonal aspects of speech, its emphasis and lyricism, are the most identifiable aspects of vocalizations. Also, syncopation and abstract rhythms are being used in ways never before. With obesity rates climbing, researchers are now looking toward this contemporary movement of dance as the answer to a growing urban obesity problem.

Hip-hop began as an idea during the 1970s, when many Black radio stations switched to playing disco. There was a backlash against disco by many in the African-American community. hip-hop arose during the 1970s, from block parties in New York City. These popular parties were usually accompanied by music, especially funk, disco and soul. In the 1980s, hip-hop became mainstream, and an internationally popular genre during the 1990s and 2000s. Hip-hop is usually divided into three periods: Roots, Old School, and Golden Age. Most agree that the “golden age” ended during the 1990s. The current period is not yet named, though it is commonly referred to as New school hip hop.

These early movements are what have led to rhythm and blues, funk, and the most recent culture of urban (New school) hip-hop. Hip-hop has changed the face of music since the 1980’s, giving those part of the culture a new sense of pride and motivation with hip-hop’s new sound and ultimate dance moves. And in today’s modern culture of obese children - particularly low-income African American children - studies are showing that this type of dance is a very effective way to exercise, tone the body, and keep off the weight.

Obesity is an ever-growing epidemic that is affecting increasing numbers of children every year. Minority women and their children are especially at risk. Healthy People 2010 states that 14% of Black or African American children aged 6-19 years are obese, compared to the 11% of White children.  As for income level, 13% if children aged 6-19 years in the lower income level (<130 % of poverty threshold) are obese, compared with 10% of those with higher income. A society of overweight children is a systemic problem throughout the United States. Overweight and obesity acquired during childhood or adolescence may persist into adulthood and increase the risk for some chronic diseases later in life.

It is important for exercise researchers to now look at dance as a motivator for those who appreciate the power of hip-hop across the race boundaries of our culture. Dance is a proven aid in reducing psychological stress, and is the source of something positive in a society where the negatives are highlighted for gangs and violence.  But out of this environment, hip-hop was born, and is most appreciated for its ability to express the athleticism of the streets. Now the question becomes—can we, as those interested in the health of our nation’s children and teens, harness the creativity and flow of the dance, and spread its beat through those of us who need to move the most?

With this in mind, let’s look at some of the current research. A community-based obesity prevention program was put into action in 2002, named Hip-Hop to Health Jr. The program is actually a comprehensive, family-oriented obesity prevention program for minority preschool children, using Hip-Hop as a motivator. This program is designed to be a five-year study conducted in 24 Head Start programs that were either 14-week health/diet sessions at three times a week or general health interventions. The program is aimed at both children and their parents, getting them more involved in healthy eating and exercise habits.

The results of the study study have proven Hip-Hop to Health Jr. effective in reducing the Body Mass Index (BMI) in young black children. Unfortunately, the program was less effective in Latino programs. The conclusions of the study indicated that behaviors related to diet and physical activity are established early in life and modeled by family members. Early intervention efforts addressing the child and family are needed to prevent obesity later in life.

In addition to hip-hop moves, other dances were proven effective in benefiting overall health. Mayo Clinic researchers report that dancing in a social setting helps to reduce stress and increase muscle tone, strength, and energy. Sixwise.com reports, “Whether you like to kick up your heals to hip hop, classical or country, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) says that dancing can: lower your risk of coronary heart disease, decrease blood pressure, help you manage your weight, and strengthen the bones of your legs and hips.”

Different types of dance benefit different areas of the body. For example, belly dancing improves posture, muscle toning, and prevents lower back problems and ballroom dancing helps build stamina, shapes the body, and keeps the heart in shape. Hip-hop dancing has elements from many styles of dancing, which can benefit the entire body.

Not only does hip-hop dance moves improve physical health, but it can also benefit lifestyle and mental health as well. Tui Manuel, the founder of Urban Beat Hip Hop Dance Co. facilitated a workshop full of intense hip-hop in the UK. From this, she stimulated an interesting research question: If more young dancers, such as ‘Urban Beat’, performed around South Auckland schools would this bring change to young people’s lives by encouraging them to focus on something positive, and become inspired and passionate about something other than gangs and violence? Urban Beat is located in South Auckland, New Zealand, which experiences their fair share of gang violence.

With positive energy and enthusiasm, Manuel puts children in a comfortable place where they can improve their physiological and psychological fitness while having fun. “Dance can have an everlasting impact on kids who are troubled and lacking self confidence, helping them to develop a sense of identity,” Manuel said. Dancing could have a positive impact on everyone’s lives.

Ballroom owner Karen Tebeau sees it everyday. “A lot of times, when people come into the studio, it’s because there’s been a change in their life: a divorce or they’ve been through a period of depression. They (continue) coming in, and you see a big change. After a while, they’re walking in with a sunny expression. You know it’s the dancing that’s doing that,” Tebeau said.

Hip-hop can have a positive influence on others. Combining trendy, complex beats will work the body into shape and help you feel good about yourself. So the next time you’re home alone flipping through the channels and you land on MTV Jams, if you get the sudden urge to dance to the beat, go for it. It will help you feel good—inside and out. Take a look at the next article to be published on this site - a YouTube video on hip-hop dance.

Research sources and for more information: [Wikipedia]; [Hip-Hop Jr Study]; [Hip Hop and Health]; [Health Benefits of Dance]; [Obesityresearch.org]; [Article]; [Springerlink.com]; [picture1]; [picture2]

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Tags: belly dance, bmi, dance, diet, health, hip-hop, hip-hop and health jr., mental health, obesity, physical health, salsa dance, urban beat hip hop dance co., weight loss

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