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Childhood Obesity and DanceIF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BABY AND INFANT MASSAGE CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BOOKS ON THE PLACE OF DANCE IN EDUCATION CLICK HERE What follows is based mainly on an article which appeared in the "New York Times" on 30th April, 2007. It seems that the present generation for whom childhood obesity is a growing problem is no longer keen on traditional competitive team games. Modern technology has led to children wanting to entertain themselves and to be personally in charge of the activity. The video game Dance Dance Revolution (D.D.R) is made by Konami of Japan where it was located in arcades in that country.It is now more usually played on Sony's Playstation 2 and Microsoft's box game consoles. There are a number of other games such as Red Octanes's In the Groove, Pump It Up, Exceed, Dance Along and Para Para Paradise.The question is:- Do these games have a place in the fight against childhood obesity? A basic D.D.R system including a television and game console can be bought for under $500. The video game Dance Dance Revolution and other such games may be a means of helping children loose weight. As a song plays (and all sorts of music is suitable) arrows pointing forward, back, left and right, appear on the screen in varios sequences and combinations. The players must step on the matching arrows on a mat on the floor. Players can dance by themselves, with a partner or in competition Some states in the U.S are already using it as a regular part of their physical education curriculum in an endevour to reduce and prevent childhood obesity.Dance Dance Revolution offers excercise without children having to possess the skills demanded by sport and games. As a result it appeals to children across the board. A study was carried out last year in Rochester, Minn. an area which has a particularly severe problem with childhood obesity. The research team from the Mayo Clinic found that children playing Dance Dance Revolution used significantly more energy than children watching television and playing traditional video games. D.D.R does meet standards for aerobic fitness by raising the heart rate sufficiently for the required period of time. In Redmond, Oregon In the Groove was installed in third and fourth grade classrooms for a five-month study. The most "at risk" students were chosen to become "Groove Masters", mentors to other children. Some of the results from the study included:- 1. Absenteeism dropped by more than 50% 2. According to teachers, 85% of the mentors grew in social skills 3. 94% of the students who took part showed increases in leadership skills and confidence, which increased self-esteem and improved academic performance. 4. 4th grade students who took part in the study improved their mile run by 13.8% 5.Students became more enthusiastic about sports, fitness and dance, The games were shown to give a good aerobic workout and to assist in weight loss, a very important factor in the battle against childhood obesity. Dr Debra Liebermann of the Dept. of Communications, at UC Santa Barbara calls this video activity "exergaming". She described Dance Dance Revolution as a game, a social activity, a dance and performance platform, a workout and weight loss tool, and a classroom and workplace activity. She lists a number of reasons for its appeal:- the games challenges, the music, the joy of movement, the work out, and social interactions. Dance games are now found in homes, arcades, fitness clubs, health centers, schools and workplaces. There are even versions that allow aerobic instructors to work with a group. Dr Liebermann's conclusions regarding these games was that they "make a very positive contribution to player's stress management, weight management, fitness and health". This is perhaps a form of dance which will be acceptable to overweight children in that it is a fun happening which they will be happy to take part in. CHINA TAKES STEPS TO CURB PASSION China is changing the way it runs compulsory dance classes, introduced to tackle child obesity, because parents fear their children may fall in love. Sports officials say they will now encourage students to dance in large groups or by themselves. Some parents had expressed fears that if boys and girls danced hand in hand they might fall in love and put their studies at risk. The lessons will start in September amid concerns over physical inactivity. Obesity on rise The Ministry of Education announced last month that seven dance steps, including the waltz, would begin in primary and middle schools. The State General Administration of Sports says changes had been agreed to calm fears of parents who hold traditional values. Administration official Yin Guochen told the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post: "The [children] don't have to dance with specific partners, which will be more easily accepted by both students and their parents. "Four students will be grouped together to perform the waltz and they will change partners regularly as soon as one song finishes. This way, the risk of young love will be lowered." Chinese officials have expressed concern at growing obesity levels in children. In a report last year, medical Professor Wu Yangfeng said that in the 15 years between 1985 and 2000, the number of overweight and obese children had increased 28-fold. One-fifth of the world's overweight and obese people live in China and the numbers are rising dramatically. While I do believe the children will lose weight I honestly don't think that "the risk of young love will be lowered". Feed Back Please!Your Comments,Suggestions and Criticisms are most welcome and appreciated. What Other Visitors Have SaidClick below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
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