Do you like to move to the music? Dancing may be a good way to lose excess body weight and improve body composition. Researchers analyzed the results of 10 studies in which groups of people who took part in a dance intervention were compared to those who continued with their normal movement habits. The analysis found that dancing (of any kind) was effective at causing fat loss in people with overweight or obesity. It also improved other measures, including body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.
While the authors concluded the evidence was not strong, this study is encouraging. Like walking or running, dance is an aerobic activity that supports heart health. It is free, requires no special equipment, and can be done almost anywhere, with a partner or alone, and, best of all, it’s fun! (See Page 6 for more ideas on ways to get moving.)