Disturbed eating attitudes, social physique anxiety, and perceived pressure for thin body in professional dancers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Professional ballet dancers are known as a high-risk group for adopting disordered eating behaviours. However, research regarding the professionals of other dance styles/genres is quite limited. The present study explored disordered eating, social physique anxiety (SPA) and perceived pressure for a thin body in professional dancers of different dance styles and genres. The Eating Attitude Test questionnaire (EAT-26), the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS), and the questionnaire for thin body by significant others were administered to 108 professional dancers of ballet (n = 37), Latin (n = 31) and traditional dance (n = 40). The results showed that seven dancers had an EAT-26 score ≥20, indicating abnormal eating behaviour. No statistically significant differences were found among the three dance groups in any assessment tool, even after controlling for age, sex and professional experience. However, when Body Mass Index (BMI) was added as a potential confounder in the model, significant differences were revealed. Our results indicate that BMI and not the dance genre is an important contributing factor for both the self-control of eating and the perceived pressure from co-dancers and choreographers. If a better ‘dance life’ is to be accomplished, actions aiming at enhancing positive relationships within professional dance environment would be beneficial for dancers.