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Review
. 2022 Mar;27(2):405-414.
doi: 10.1007/s40519-021-01213-5. Epub 2021 May 22.

Eating psychopathology in ballet dancers: a meta-analysis of observational studies

G A Silverii  1 , F Benvenuti  2 , G Morandin  3 , V Ricca  2 , M Monami  3 , E Mannucci  3 , F Rotella  2
Affiliations
Review

Eating psychopathology in ballet dancers: a meta-analysis of observational studies

G A Silverii et al. Eat Weight Disord. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether ballet dancers have higher eating psychopathology mean scores than the general population.

Methods: Meta-analysis of cross-sectional observational studies comparing the scores of one or more of the validated eating psychopathological scales between ballet dancers and any control groups.

Results: Twelve studies were included in the metanalysis. Ballet dancers had a significantly higher EAT score (12 studies retrieved, SMD 0.82 [95% CI 0.44-1.19], p < 0.00001, I2 = 84)]; subgroup analysis suggested a possible role of control subjects' choice in explaining heterogeneity. Scores on the EDI subscales of Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, and Body dissatisfaction were available from four studies; Drive for Thinness was higher in ballet dancers (SMD 0.62 [0.01, 1.22]), as well as the Bulimia scale (SMD 0.38 [0.02, 0.73], p = 0.04) and the Body Dissatisfaction scale (SMD 0.34 [0.15, 0.53]). Data on Perfectionism, Interpersonal problems, Ineffectiveness, and Maturity fears, were available from three studies. Higher scores in Perfectionism (SMD 0.68 [0.24, 1.12] p = 0.02), Interpersonal problems (SMD 0.24 [0.02, 0.47], in Inefficacy, (SMD 2.18 [1.31, 3.06]) were found for ballet dancers; on the other hand, Maturity fears scores were not significantly different between ballet dancers and controls (IV-MD = 0.15 [- 0.07, 0.36]). Seven studies reported tests not performed elsewhere.

Discussion: Ballet dancers show a higher level of restriction and drive for thinness than controls, and they may be, therefore, at higher risk for the development of eating disorders. Available studies do not allow the discrimination of dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors from adaptive responses.

Level of evidence: Level I (evidence obtained from systematic reviews and meta-analyses).

Keywords: Ballet dancers; Eating attitude test; Eating disorder inventory; Eating disorders; Meta-analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Standardized mean difference in means for EAT scale scores. STD mean difference Standardized difference in means, IV Inverse Variance, 95% CI 95% Confidence Interval
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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