All types of people are affected by eating disorders. However, the highest percentages of people that obtain some form of eating disorder classify themselves as dancers. Eating disorders in dancers are commonly formed by rigorous programs, cruel teachers and choreographers, and the unreachable images and physical expectations that are established by society. Not only do eating disorders dismantle the body and destroy its health, they can also lead to the transform of a stable mind into an irrational one that believes its actions are acceptable and rational. Mental instability does not only affect choices and decisions, but can put the victim at severe risk. There is more to an eating disorder than what people think; sacrificing a healthy body …show more content…
to satisfy society’s ideal image of a dancer is not worth the lifelong mental and physical toll that is placed on the mind and body to endure and conquer. Effects of Anorexia in Dancers The dance industry is known for its high expectations for beautiful appearances.
These expectations are achieved by the different dance styles, settings, much and the overall look of the dancers. However, there are many aspects that contribute to the pleasing appearances of dance; the appearance of the dance industry rests heavily on the performers. Dancers, especially in advanced dance studios, have to have the whole collection of talent. Dancers should attractive, physically fit, strength, and be elegance. As a result of such high demands, dance companies have high standards for dancers that are selected to represent their studio. These standards cause loads of pressure that is put onto the dancers that can potentially contribute to the development of improper diets and eventually lead to eating disorders. For dancers, eating disorders are highly encouraged by teachers and even fellow dancers. It appears that the dance industry is not aware of how harmful the unhealthy eating habits dancers can attain can be to their dancers. There are many effects that come with these habits; these effects are exaggerated in dancers as they participate in intense physical activity, and must maintain high energy levels. However, high level dancers cannot maintain high energy levels if their body is not getting the proper
nutrients. What is Anorexia? Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by corrupt eating habits, food restrictions, having an obsession with having a certain figure, a fear of weight gain, and a distorted, mental body self-perception. When someone has anorexia, because of their fear of weight gain, they tend to restrict the amount of food that they eat. Anorexia also typically involves a lot of weight loss and is diagnosed more often in female. As perceived by society, the terms anorexia nervosa and anorexia are often used interchangeably; however, anorexia is simply used as a medical term for a lack of appetite. However, most of individuals the claim to have anorexia do not lose their appetites. People with anorexia often experience headaches, drowsiness, and a lack of energy. To help get rid of the side effects that come along with anorexia, individuals may get involved in other harmful activities, such as smoking, big amounts of caffeine consumption, and an increased exercise obsession. Anorexia is also often paired with a slanted self-image, which can alter how someone with the disorder thinks about their body, food, and eating. People with anorexia often view themselves as overweight even when they are already underweight and weight less than what they should for their height. Anorexia usually starts in youth and is more common among young females than young males. In general, men appear to be more comfortable with their weight and have less pressure put on them to look a certain way. Anorexia in Dancers Dancers often result to both internal and external pressures to maintain an ultra result in 50% of dancers struggling with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Without proper education when challenged with inevitable negative body image, young dancers resort to their own means to change their bodies; which can result in unbalanced diets, self starvation, and purging food right after eating, all in effect to attain their desired esthetic appearance (Hunt, 2011). A literature search and meta-analysis were conducted and primary data was removed as raw numbers; risk ratios and 95% confidence breaks were calculated for controlled studies. The overall occurrence of eating disorders was 12.0% (16.4% for ballet dancers), 2.0% (4% for ballet dancers) for anorexia, 4.4% (2% for ballet dancers) for bulimia and 9.5% (14.9% for ballet dancers) for eating disorders not otherwise specified. The dancer group had higher averages on the EAT-26 (Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), that is a screening measure to help determine whether you might have an eating disorder that needs professional attention) and the Eating Disorder Inventory subscales. Dancers, in general, had a higher risk of suffering from eating disorders, in general. The study concluded that as dancers had a three times higher risk of suffering from eating disorders, particularly anorexia, specifically designed services for this population should be considered (Arcelus, etal, 2014). Effects The effects of doing such harmful actions things to one’s body can have such a harmful toll. Not only do most dancers put their bodies through rigorous physical activity, but then they mistreat their bodies by not giving them the proper nourishment; it is a recipe for disaster. Dancers that participate in such actions will, of course, suffer the traditional effects of anorexia such as thinning of the skin, rotting of the teeth, and fatigue, but they also increase risk for lifetime vomiting habits and a permeate need to binge eat (Thomas, etal, 2007). Along with physical effects, dancers can experience just as many psychological effects. Psychological effects that dancers will suffer due to the activities they partake in include distorted body images that make them fantasize over the perfect body the will never achieve, self-evaluation based off of weight and appearance, obsessive nature towards food in a negative manor, low self esteem, mood swings, and severe depression. Studies and Experiments Some scientists have gone deeper into the metal meaning behind way dancers resort to eating disorders like anorexia. One study examined the nature of body image distortions but studying a group of dancer’s perceptual and idealized components using video distortion to create photographs of dancers, anorexics and controls that made their bodies look larger. Each subject was then asked to manipulate the photograph until it reached their ideal image of what they should look like. The results were just as expected; all three groups perceived themselves to be heavier than they actually were. However, the dancers were the only group that were unsatisfied with their weight, unlike the anorexics and controls were satisfied (Cheneau, etal, 2007). Another study that was used to collect data on dancers reported that 20% weighed below their ideal weight for height, 22% confessed to having an eating disorder, and they concluded that the dancers with eating disorders valued their careers less, dieted more, and exercised less frequently than the dancers without a disorder (Hamilton, etal, 1985). Conclusion All types of people are affected by eating disorders. However, the highest percentages of people that obtain some form of eating disorder classify themselves as dancers. Eating disorders in dancers are commonly formed by rigorous programs, cruel teachers and choreographers, and the unreachable images and physical expectations that are established by society. Not only do eating disorders dismantle the body and destroy its health, they can also lead to the transform of a stable mind into an irrational one that believes its actions are acceptable and rational. Mental instability does not only affect choices and decisions, but can put the victim at severe risk. There is more to an eating disorder than what people think; sacrificing a healthy body to satisfy society’s ideal image of a dancer is not worth the lifelong mental and physical toll that is placed on the mind and body to endure and conquer. From being a dancer for over 11 years I have seen numerous cases of eating disorders among my fellow classmates and friends. I have seen this terrible mental condition tear families apart, ruin a dancer’s career, and most importantly, it ruined the beauty of the dancer physically and mentally. I myself even experienced an eating disorder from the influences at my dance studios. With a little help from my supportive family and loving teachers, I can to realize that conforming to what everyone else does and who everyone else expects you to be isn’t worth losing your self being.
“Eating disorders are ‘about’: yes, control, and history, philosophy, society, personal strangeness, family fuck-ups, autoerotics, myth, mirrors, love and death and S&M, magazines and religion, the individual’s blindfolded stumble-walk through an ever-stranger world.” (Hornbacher, 4)
By universal definition, "sport" is listed as "an activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively." Football, basketball, baseball, soccer and other primary activities have always been concretely defined as sports in society. However, one of the most physically demanding activities is constantly forgotten when it comes to the realm of sports- dance. Dance requires a tremendous amount of training and creates an aura of competition in which people compete to be the best, win, and take home the trophy- just like in traditionally accepted sports. These sports, however, do not possess an element of psychological health threats that some competitive dancers unfortunately must account for due to the emphasis placed on physical appearance.
to the world of professional dance where incidents of Anorexia almost appear to be an occupational hazard as demands for thinness prevail in the dance world. The film explains that dancer’s tend to be abnormally thin, often 15% below ideal weight, which is the equivalent of an anorexic weight. Today the profession recognizes that this is a deadly psychiatric disorder which
Eating disorders are often treated lightly and as fleeting disabilities. In an episode of the popular sitcom Full House, “Shape Up,” DJ Tanner under-eats and over-exercises, but she recovers from her negative relationship with food and exercise by the end of the episode. Though it should be noted that this episode does not claim to represent a specific eating disorder and does not glamorize eating disorders in any way, representations like this solidify the stereotype that eating disorders are easily solved and recovered from. Also, eating disorders can be tied to other mental health disabilities, including bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression (Adair).
This constant attention brought on dancers’ bodies often causes the development of eating disorders. An eating disorder is classified as an unhealthy change or disturbance of eating behaviors and body weight (“Eating Disorder”). Many programs have been introduced to attempt to prevent eating disorders among young dancers (Kelly). Unfortunately, an obsession with abnormally thin bodies and long limbs continues to thrive.
One of the hardest pressures that dancers have to get through is the pressure from the media. The media places harsh, rigid, and false ideas of dancers on to the mass public. Constantly bombarded by commercials, magazine ads, posters, etc., the idea of being thin and beautiful is what the society thinks of as the “norm”. The truth is “these ads portray women who have a weight way below average, and have no imperfections” (Karyn p.1). Many ads are airbrushed to give the models the look of being flawless which many women and girls do not realize. Since that look is “virtually impossible to achieve” many dancers will develop an eating disorder feeling that “it is their only road to achieve this goal” of being thin (Karyn p.1). When thinking about it, the whole point of a commercial is essentially to sell happiness. If selling happiness is the goal and the use of models is prevalent in the commercial, then it can be concluded that the only way to achieve happiness is to be just like the commercial by having the product being advertised and looking like the person advertising it.
Toro, Josep et al. “Eating Disorders in Ballet Dancing Students: Problems and Risk Factors”. John
Eating disorders are described as an illness involving eating habits that are irregular and an extreme concern with body image or weight. Eating disorders tend to appear during teenage years, but can develop at any age. Although more common in women, eating disorders can affect any age, gender or race. In the United States, over 20 million women and 10 million men are personally affected by eating disorders. There are many different causes of eating disorders such as low self esteem, societal pressures, sexual abuse and the victims perception of food. Eating disorders are unique to the sufferer and often, their perception of themselves is so skewed, they may not be aware they have an eating disorder. Media, for quite some time now, has played a significant part in eating disorders. Magazines with headlines ‘Summer Body’, or ‘Drop LB’s Fast!’ attract the attention of girls who may be insecure with themselves. Television productions such as the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show or American’s Next Top Model, show airbrushed and photoshopped women who have body types that may be unachievable. Those who are suffering from eating disorders can suffer dangerous consequences, and it is important to seek help.
An eating disorder is characterized when eating, exercise and body image become an obsession that preoccupies someone’s life. There are a variety of eating disorders that can affect a person and are associated with different characteristics and causes. Most cases can be linked to low self esteem and an attempt to, “deal with underlying psychological issues through an unhealthy relationship with food” (“Eating Disorders and Adolescence,” 2013). Eating disorders typically develop during adolescence or early adulthood, with females being most vulner...
There may be murmurs about that girl who only fixes herself a salad with only vinegar at dining services or suspicious glances at someone who spends 45 minutes on the treadmill and then switches to the stair stepper at the rec. On-campus eating disorders are talked about everywhere and yet are not really talked about at all. There is observation, concern, and gossip, but hushed conversation and larger scale efforts to help and change never seem to earn public attention.
Shapiro, C. M. (2012). Eating disorders: Causes, diagnosis, and treatments [Ebrary version]. Retrieved from http://libproxy.utdallas.edu/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/utdallas/Doc?id=10683384&ppg=3
Everyday a young woman looks in the mirror and tells herself that she’s too fat, that she isn’t pretty, and that no man will ever love her. She cries when she eats ice cream and she’ll run up and down the stairs to the point of exhaustion. Just trying to shed a few pounds, trying to make herself beautiful. The kind of beauty that the magazines portray to you. The 102 pound, five foot ten models who wear double zero jeans; that kind of beautiful. Women starve themselves trying to reach this unrealistic ideal and for what? To look godly sick, brittle to the touch? Eating disorders are a growing epidemic, caused by the unrealistic media images being portrayed to young women.
Staring themselves in the mirror judging every angle of their feature, constantly tracking every calorie intake. Up to 30 million people of all ages suffer from an eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder in the U.S. Eating disorders are illness that interrupt a person`s eating behavior (ANAD). People with eating disorders become obsessed with food, body weight and shape. The most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. The most rare eating disorder is Pica. Anorexics may criticize themselves for being overweight, even if they are thin. People with bulimia nervosa have frequent timings of eating unusually large quantities of food and feeling guilt after. Pica deals with people who eat non food items such as lead, dirt, and paper. In America certain people believe
“Denial, Dr. Hamilton said, is a large part of the problem of eating disorders, a problem that affects a large number of young ballerinas.” (Eating Disorders Haunt Ballerinas) It is hard for a dancer told be told to be perfect all the time. They are told to have long legs, long necks, flat stomach, and short torso. “.. they are much more prevalent in women, in part because Benfield
Most girls who have eating disorders have a tie to a belief learned at an early age to achieve physical perfection whether it be in a sport, talent, or attractiveness. In situations such as this, education often is placed on the back burner. “Just the other day, a popular dance show featured adults candidly admitting that they encourage activity over education. When confronted, devotees said, "My daughter loves it." Or, "Ask her if she likes doing it!