The Prevalence and Correlating Characteristics of Disordered Eating among Adolescent Female Cheerleaders and Dancers

Abstract

Design: A survey questionnaire was designed to determine scale scores in the areas of “fear of fatness,” “body dissatisfaction,” and “extreme concern with weight loss.” These scale scores were used as predictors of the development of an eating disorder.Subjects: The subjects consisted of 181 middle and high school cheerleaders and dancers attending cheerleading/dancing camp at a Southeastern university campus.Main outcome measurements: Measurements included scale scores in the areas of “fear of fatness,” “body dissatisfaction,” “extreme concern with weight loss,” and “overall risk of developing an eating disorder.”Statistical Analysis: Data was analyzed using frequency analysis, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation with the SPSS computer system.Results: Approximately 18% of all subjects scored higher than one standard deviation above the mean on the “overall risk of developing an eating disorder” scale. A high “overall risk of developing an eating disorder” scale was positively correlated with body mass index and age. The percentage of Caucasians at high risk for developing an eating disorder was significantly higher than the percentage of African Americans at risk.Discussion: This study suggests that a large percentage of adolescent female cheerleaders and dancers are at risk for developing an eating disorder. Therefore, nutrition education efforts shoold focus upon cheerleaders/dancers and their coaches/sponsors. The scale scores did suggest predictive capabilities for evaluation of the risk for developing eating disorders. Therefore, the questionnaire could serve as a valuable screening tool for coaches/sponsors.