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Dancers, Eating Attitudes and Vegetarianism: A Descriptive Study

Pearson, Christopher J
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627660654722065

Abstract Details

2021, MS, University of Cincinnati, Allied Health Sciences: Nutrition.
ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the prevalence of, and association between, eating psychopathology and vegetarianism within a cohort of collegiate ballet dancers at a Midwestern university. Design: Participants were recruited via email and asked to anonymously complete the EAT26 and EDI-3 SC questionnaire as part of a survey regarding dietary preferences, behaviors and anthropometrics. Participants: Members of a collegiate ballet program (n=39) were contacted via email to complete a survey. A total of 29 dancers completed the survey but 4 were removed due to exclusion criteria, leaving a total sample of 25 participants. Methods: Surveys were completed in REDCAP and the data were compiled and analyzed for significant associations. A Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to identify the association between EAT26 scores and vegetarianism. Population means were calculated and compared to determine if ballet dancers presented as at-risk for eating psychopathology and with greater prevalence of vegetarianism than nationally representative samples. Caseness for eating psychopathology was determined by scoring 20 or higher on the EAT26. The prevalence and frequency of compensatory behaviors were assessed using the EDI-3 SC. Main Outcome Measure: Of the 25 participants who completed the study, all were female, most were in their first (n=9) or second (n=9) year in college., with an average age of 19.2 (SD 1.2). Twenty four percent(n=6) reported they followed some form of a vegetarian diet. The mean of the EAT26 scores for omnivores was 9.8 (SD 10.3) while it was 20.2 (SD 12.4) for vegetarians (p-value for group comparison = 0.079). Within this cohort, 28% (n=7) scored 20 or greater on the EAT26 and 12% (n=3) had a prior eating disorder diagnosis, suggesting this population may be at considerable risk for eating psychopathology. Eating disordered behaviors included SIV (n=2), laxative/diuretic/diet pill use (n=2), binge eating (n=9) and excessive exercise (n=17). Conclusion: Our findings aligned with those of prior studies, showing that female collegiate ballet dancers are at considerable risk for eating psychopathology. The association between vegetarianism and EAT26 scores was not statistically significant, but there was a strong trend, and it is interesting that vegetarianism was more prevalent among these at-risk dancers than nationally representative samples
Abigail Peairs, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Sarah Couch, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
37 p.
Nutrition
Vegetarianism; Eating Disorder; Eating Psychopathology; Ballet; Dance; EAT26

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pearson, C. J. (2021). Dancers, Eating Attitudes and Vegetarianism: A Descriptive Study [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627660654722065

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pearson, Christopher. Dancers, Eating Attitudes and Vegetarianism: A Descriptive Study. 2021. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627660654722065.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pearson, Christopher. "Dancers, Eating Attitudes and Vegetarianism: A Descriptive Study." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627660654722065

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1627660654722065
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.