Correlation between Percent Body Fat and Appetite-Regulating Hormones in Korean Professional Female Ballet Dancers

Abstract

In order to achieve and maintain the “ideal” ballet physique, professional female ballet dancers often control their low body weight and fat level by limiting their food intake. Low energy intake may disrupt appetite-regulating hormones such as ghrelin, leptin, insulin, and glucose. PURPOSE: To determine the correlation between percent body fat(%BF) and appetite-regulating hormone levels among Korean professional female ballet dancers. METHODS: 86 Korean professional female ballet dancers (age: 25.8±2.7yrs., ballet experience: 13.7±4.0yrs.) participated in this study. The body composition (BMI, total body water, and %BF) was measured using bioelectrical impedance method. To calculate the energy intake, the subjects self-recorded (24-hour recall method) their daily food consumption for 7 days, and the data was calculated using Can-Pro nutrition analysis software. Blood samplings were assayed using RIA, ECLIA, and Enzymatic methods for ghrelin, leptin, insulin, and glucose. Statistical analyses included linear regression and Durbin Watson Test. RESULTS: The body composition of the subjects was as follows: BMI (18.42±1.04kg/m2), total body water (28.3±1.77kg), and %BF (19.60±2.95%). The energy intake of the subjects was 1585±40kcal/day. The result showed that the independent variables leptin (3.69±1.83ng/mL) and insulin (4.08±2.02μU/mL) significantly (p<0.05) affected the dependant variable %BF, and leptin and insulin were positively correlated. The independent variables ghrelin (1089.9±38pg/mL) and glucose (88.90±8.17mg/dL) showed no significant correlation to the %BF. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicated leptin and insulin correlate with %BF, and the female ballet dancers with higher %BF also had higher level of leptin and insulin.