Female Athlete Body Project Intervention with Professional Dancers: A Pilot Trial

Eat Disord. 2021 Jan-Feb;29(1):56-73. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2019.1632592. Epub 2019 Jun 24.

Abstract

As aesthetic athletes, professional dancers have increased vulnerability for eating disorders (EDs), with three times higher risk than non-dancers. Among ballet dancers, generalized risk for EDs associated with internalization of western cultural female beauty ideals is compounded by idealization of a ballet-specific body ideal, a combination that confers unique vulnerability for eating pathology. Empirical support has been established for an athlete-specific intervention promoting body acceptance and reduced eating pathology among general populations of young-adult women and female collegiate athletes; the current study adapted this intervention for pilot implementation among professional ballet dancers. Participants from two elite ballet companies (N = 19) were randomized to a control and intervention condition. All participants self-reported eating pathology and related variables pre- and post-intervention, and at six-week follow-up. Post-intervention, participants receiving the intervention demonstrated reductions in body dissatisfaction, p = .005, r = -.63, dietary restraint, p = .008, r = -.59, and eating pathology, p = .007, r = -.60, as compared to control group counterparts; significant differences were retained at follow-up. Results provide preliminary evidence that this intervention has the potential to provide a feasible and acceptable means of ED prevention in female professional ballet dancers. Barriers to feasibility are identified and discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletes / psychology*
  • Body Image
  • Dancing / psychology*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pilot Projects
  • Young Adult