Dance Body Image Effects In Dance

The Effects of Dance Level and Style on Body Image in Female Dancers

The “ideal body” is a common discussion in dance. Generally, ballet is the style of dance most related to the discussion of an ideal dance body thus affecting body image in female dancers. Various studies show that body image in dance is affected by a number of factors, including dance style, level, and teaching methods. These factors will be used to evaluate the likeliness of developing eating disorders in female dancers. Most studies focus solely on one individual factor that results in eating disorders and body image issues; however, body image issues and eating disorders are formed as a result of a combination of the following factors: dance style, level, and teaching

Pollatou performed questionnaires and various other test to detect any differences between the two groups. The test results revealed that there were no drastic differences between how both of the groups viewed body image. In this study Pollatou explained what these results might suggest by stating that, “A following study that was interested in the body image psychopathology compared ballet dancers wishing to become professionals with amateur ballet dancers. The analysis of results revealed that the body image conveyed by society is as important to amateur dancers as to professionals” (Pollatou 132). Although advanced ballet dancers display greater risk of developing eating disorders, amature dancers are just as concerned about their body image. This also suggest that ballet dancers are perceived to be thin within society as a whole. Pollatou also stated, “Although eating and body image disorders are mostly diagnosed in elite and professional ballet dancers, their prevalence among contemporary and non-professional dancers is thought to be worth investigating” (Pollatou 132). Swami and Harris researched this and the topic of contemporary versus ballet and their article is more recent than Pollatou’s

The mixed results received from Pollatou could be because she did not weigh the effect of dance level and style equally. As previously stated in Swami and Harris’ argument, contemporary advanced dancers showed higher body appreciation than beginners and advanced ballet dancers showed lower body appreciation than beginners. If the results recorded were based solely on dance level there could be mixed results being that body appreciation/body image differs depending on the style of dance. Kaplan received mixed results as well.

Kaplan studied differences in body image between recreational and professional ballet dancers. Kaplan’s studies revealed that there were no major difference between how the two groups viewed body image. Although there were no major differences between body image Kaplan found that, “The majority of the dancers sampled reported that they would not want this body type if they were not ballet dancers.” (Kaplan 97). This evidence shows that that the ideal dance body is specific to