HYPEd-up: Youth dance culture and health

Abstract

Objective: This exploratory study examined the potential of hip hop youth dance culture to engage disadvantaged youth in positive social activities within their community. An innovative 12-week program, entitled HYPE: Hip Hop 절ealthy, was conducted annually over two years and involved over 600 high school students. Research design: A qualitative, cross-sectional study design was used to examine participants' perceptions about the impact of the program on their well-being. Method: Survey data were gathered regarding the impact of the program on participants' physical, psychological and social well-being. Results: The vast majority of participants reported that HYPE was a positive experience and felt it offered a valuable opportunity to engage both with their peers and the broader community. Conclusions: The findings support the notion that the arts are a valuable tool in health promotion for engaging youth in positive, community-based activities that they enjoy.