Effect of Eight-Week Aerobic Dance on Obesogenic Tendencies among University Students in Oyo State, Nigeria

Obesity among university students has become a pressing public concern in Nigeria. This study examined the effect of eight-week aerobic dance on obesogenic tendencies among university students in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was based on Energy Balance Theory and Social Cognitive Theory. A pre-test–post-test control-group quasi-experimental design was adopted for university students who exhibited obesogenic tendencies. Sixty (60) undergraduates were purposively selected from two universities of experimental and control groups of thirty (30) participants each. The experimental group engaged in structured aerobic-dance sessions lasting 45–60 minutes per session, three times weekly for eight weeks, while the control group received lifestyle-education sessions. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. All hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Results showed a significant main effect of aerobic dance on BMI (F(1,57) = 118.36, p < .001, η²= .68) indicating large effect sizes. It was concluded that aerobic dance effectively reduced obesogenic tendencies and improved overall body composition among university students irrespective of gender. It was therefore recommended that structured aerobic dance programmes should be integrated into university health curricula to enhance physical fitness and prevent obesity-related conditions among undergraduates in Nigeria.