Dance4DYP - Dance to improve physical, mental, and social health among disadvantaged young people

There is no doubt that physical activity entails a large number of benefits for our health. However, it is well known that many children and adolescents do not meet the daily physical activity recommended by the World Health Organisation. This lack of physical activity, which is an issue of concern, is especially evident among girls and within a disadvantaged context with fewer resources, as they tend to adopt sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles. Thus, there are several policies, institutions, and organizations that try to foster active lives through sports activities in all the general population. However, these initiatives are also needed among vulnerable populations to give them more opportunities and ensure equality and inclusion. Also, physical activity must be promoted through several activities that are not necessarily sports games, as usual. For example, expressive activities such as dance have been demonstrated to produce several benefits for our physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Therefore, dance is a good tool to work on children and adolescents’ health needs surrounding physical activity. This project aims to develop a three-month contemporary dance program for disadvantaged young people (Dance4DYP) to improve their health from a holistic approach. Thus, the effects of this program on their physical, psychological, and social health will be analysed. Participants’ physical health will be measured through physical fitness, their psychological well-being through body image and self-esteem, and their social health will be observed through their social relationships. Although this dance program is aimed at young people, other community members will be invited to join in this project. Dance4DYP, which will be developed in Spain, Italy, and Croatia, is expected to improve children and adolescents’ health by engaging in a new motivating initiative that will be shared with their families and teachers.