Tracking of eating disorders symptoms and evaluation of body image perception in ballerinas

Resumo

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 14 participants from 18 to 30 years old who dance classical ballet at academies in the city of Campinas/SP, Brazil; in order to analyze the presence of symptoms of eating disorders development and the body image perception and (in) satisfaction in classical ballet practitioners. Quantitative data were generated through questionnaires (BITE, BES, EAT-26 and Stunkard's Scale), and qualitative data through focus groups. Approximately half of the dancers had symptoms of eating disorders as well as dissatisfaction with their body image, data that are possibly related to the fact that the participants do restrictive diets on a recurring basis in order to achieve a leaner body than they consider healthy. In addition, few participants had a nutritional follow-up, suggesting a low participation of qualified professionals in this sport, which would be extremely important to avoid the development of eating disorders symptoms, besides helping to increase sports performance and improve dancers life quality.