title: A feasibility study of a culturally and gender-specific dance to promote physical activity for South Asian immigrant women in the greater Toronto area.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite ample evidence demonstrating the protective effect of physical activity, the uptake of regular physical activity among South Asian (SA) women remains relatively low. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility and health impacts of implementing a culture- and gender-specific physical activity among SA immigrant women residing in Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Ontario, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community-based mixed methods approach combining cohort pretest and posttest design and qualitative methods employing in depth interviews was used. Twenty-seven SA women from the GTA participated in a 6-week, 2 days per week, Bollywood Dance exercise program led by a female SA instructor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participation rate was considerably high (85%) and approximately 82% of the participants attended 10 or more of the classes offered. The participants' physical measurements (weight, waist and hip, and body mass index) decreased, although not significantly, over the 6-week period and there was an improvement in their physical, mental, and social health. During the face-to-face interviews, participants reported feeling less stressed and tired, being more mentally and physically robust, and having a sense of fulfillment and self-satisfaction. The only common criticism expressed was that the 6-week duration of the intervention was too short.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed that the Bollywood Dance was a feasible strategy in engaging SA immigrant women in physical activity. The key aspects when designing culture- and gender-specific dance interventions include community participation and active engagement in planning and implementation of the program, a supportive environment, same gender and culturally attuned dance instructor, easy access, and minimal to no cost.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Community Services, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Centre for Global Health Equity, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: mvahabi@ryerson.ca.
authors.forename: Mandana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vahabi
authors.affiliation: Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Damba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003469:Culture; D003615:Dancing; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult