Disordered eating attitudes, body image concerns and a higher perceived sociocultural pressure about physical appearance are common among dancers. In previous studies, authors have found dancers to be often preoccupied with their weight, engage in high-risk weight control behaviours, have negative body image and report higher perceived sociocultural pressure about physical appearance. In my master´s thesis, my interests focused on the prevalence of risk for eating disorders among dancers, their body image and the level of perceived sociocultural pressure and perceived social support regarding their body image. My study was conducted on a sample of dancers in order to determine the relationship between the dancers' eating attitudes, body image, perceived sociocultural pressure, and to compare the findings to those of non-dancers. I took into account some dance-related variables, such as the level of dance participation and type of dance. The study included a total of 451 female participants of whom 51,2 % were dancers and 49,8 % were females who have never engaged in dance training. Participants completed the Eating Attitudes Test EAT-26, the Body Image States Scale BISS and Perceived Sociocultural Pressure Scale PSPS. It was found that dancers participating in more aesthetic types of dance have a significant higher risk for developing eating disorders, compared to dancers participating in less aesthetic types of dance, as well as to non-dancers. The results show that 15,4 % of aesthetic dancers and 7,2 % less aesthetic dancers have a higher risk of developing eating disorders. Furthermore, results demonstrate that recreational dancers that have engaged in professional dance in the past have the highest risk of developing eating disorders. Dancers participating in various types of dance differ significantly in perceived sociocultural pressure and the social support given by their coach and family. I found no differences in body image between dancers engaging in various types of dance and levels of dance participation. Findings of this study are important for both professionals working with dancers as well as for the dancers themselves, their parents and coaches.
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