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A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
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Disordered eating and injuries among adolescent ballet dancers
J J Thomas1, P K Keel, T F Heatherton
1Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, WAC 816D, 15 Parkman St., Boston, MA 02114, USA. jjthomas@partners.org
Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD
|February 1, 2012
Summary
Disordered eating behaviors in ballet dancers are linked to a higher number of musculoskeletal injuries and longer recovery times. This suggests a significant functional impairment, not just an adaptation to thinness.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Dance Science
Background:
- Ballet dancers face high risks for eating disorders.
- Debate exists on whether these are benign adaptations or impairing psychopathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between disordered eating and role impairment in dancers.
- To evaluate the link between disordered eating and musculoskeletal injuries in adolescent female ballet students.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 239 adolescent female ballet students.
- Assessed lifetime disordered eating behaviors (fasting, vomiting, laxative use).
- Evaluated lifetime history and number of musculoskeletal injuries.
Main Results:
- Over half of students reported a lifetime injury.
- A higher frequency of disordered eating behaviors correlated with more injuries (p=0.01).
- Vomiting history increased injury likelihood (p=0.004) and recovery time (p=0.006).
Conclusions:
- Disordered eating is associated with functional impairment in ballet dancers.
- Findings suggest disordered eating negatively impacts dancers' physical health and performance.
- Causality is not determined due to retrospective design.
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