An investigation of the nutritional and physiological status and characteristics of eating disorders of female ballet dancers and distance runners.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the nutritional and physiological status and characteristics of eating disorders among female non-endurance (ballet dancers) and endurance (distance runners) athletes. Methods of Research: Twenty-five female subjects, 14 ballet dancers from the School of Ballet Oklahoma and 11 distance runners from Emporia State University and Emporia High School Cross Country teams participated in the study. The factors measured were caloric intake, estimated aerobic capacity (V02 max), body composition, and assessment of characteristics of eating disorders. Caloric intake was obtained by a three-day dietary recall/record (DINE). The Queen's College Step Test determined estimated V02 max. Body composition was obtained by five skinfold measurements and Jackson and Pollock's regression equation (1978). The Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) assesses the cognitive and behavioral dimensions characteristic of the eating disorders. Of the 14 ballet dancers, 11 were matched to the 11 distance runners according to similar percentage body fat. The data from the remaining three ballet dancers was dropped from t-test analysis. An independent t-test assessed the matching of groups based on percentage body fat. T-tests were used to determine if differences existed between groups in caloric intake (kcal/day) and estimated V02 max at the .05 level of significance. Using the data from all 25 subjects a multivariate t-test (utilizing Hotellings t2) and follow-up univariate t-tests assessed if differences existed between groups in EDI subscale scores. Correlation techniques were utilized to assess relationships of caloric intake, percentage body fat, and EDI subscale scores. Conclusions: There was no significant di1Terence of caloric intake between the ballet dancers and distance runners according to the three-day dietary recall/record. However, both groups exhibited a low caloric intake. There was a significant difference between the estimated V02 max values of ballet dancers and distance runners according to the Queen's College Step Test. The difference can be accounted for by the training regimens. Of the eight EDI subscales only perfectionism was significantly different between ballet dancers and distance runners. It was concluded that caloric intake being equal, the training regimen of the groups was the contributing factor in maintaining a low percentage body fat. Furthermore, it can also be concluded that an activity which is based upon sound training principles and nutrition can foster the dance "look" and ideal body weight of a distance runner without entering into the realm of the eating disorders.