Weight Restrictions In Ballet Dance

Table of contents Page number

1. Introduction 3

2. Review of literature 4

3. Methodology 11

4. Presentation and processing of findings 15

5. Discussion and analysis of findings 25

6. Conclusion 28

7. Reference list 30

8. Appendix 31

1. Introduction

“What are the physical effects of weight restrictions on the body of a ballet dancer between the ages of 17-19 years old?”

The aim of this research is to understand and research why there is a certain weight requirement for ballet dancers and the impact these weight requirements have on the performance of the ballet dancers. Required weight will also be explored. Mixed research will be done.

Validity-this source may not be very reliable as it was written in 1997 and it has been 18 years since the last update with information.

Reliability-the author of this book, Linda H Hamilton, has her PhD in clinical/ reasearch psychology; and a B.A. pyschology major. She also danced at The School of American Ballet in New York. Linda has worked as a psychologist for eating disorders.

Limitations- this includes the fact that this source only has a small amount of information on the idea of the dancers ideal weight but there is information on ideal weight.

Gibbs, R

Usefulness- this source explains more about how dances should look and how they should not have a specific weight but rather what is healthy fo them as an individual.

Validity- this source is not valid as it includes information from 1988. On the other hand this source also includes information from 4 years ago.

Reliability- this source is reliable as it was written by a supervising physician at the San Fancisco Ballet.

Limitations- This source does not give clear discriptions about being ‘ultra-thin’ it is unclear of the meaning and does not give you a clear view on the weight

It is also a good work out for your body and can relieve stress, just like Berman says that ballet helps with your focus and concentration as well as a good stress reliever.

It can be seen in table 1 that 4 out of the 5 dancers that were interviewed, are at a normal BMI and 1 out of the 5 dancers are overweight according to the BMI scale, however, in the literature review Hamilton and Gibbs say that surveys were done and it was found that Ballet dancers were 15% underweight. The dietician also stated that dancers should have a BMI that is more than 18,5 and all the dancers that were interviewed are over 18,5.

From the questions that the dietician answered it can be seen that body image is an issue for dancers and this could lead to eating disorders and will have a negative effect on the health of dancers, just like where Peterson, 2001, says that many dancers are susceptible to eating disorders such as purging, voluntary starvation and diet pills.

According to Lucas, 2015, a dancer should have:

Breakfast: scrambled eggs, whole-wheat toast, low fat yogurt and an orange.

Snack: apple with peanut butter, an energy bar, crackers and cheese, yogurt or fig