Nutritional, anthropometric characteristics and the probability of suffering disorders of eating behavior in classical dancers in four academies of the central department

Abstract

Background: Eating behavior disorders (EDs) are mental health disorders characterized by pathological behavior towards food intake and an obsession with weight control, accompanied by distortion of the perception of body image. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was carried out, which included 4 classical dance academies in the Central department, specifically classical dance dancers within the age range 12 to 18 years, whose parents signed an informed consent. Poorly completed surveys and male dancers were excluded. Sociodemographic data, eating and anthropometric characteristics, and the probability of having eating behavior disorders were analyzed using two scales, SCOFF and BULIT. The work regarding the bioethical principles of research to manage the personal data of the participants, only those data strictly necessary to solve the research objectives were taken. A formal letter was provided to the parents to confirm that their daughters could be part of the investigation. The study was presented to the Ethics Committee of the Universidad del Pacifico. Results: Of 91 female classical dancers surveyed, 17 (19 %) were 12 years old; 27 (30 %) are from Academy A; 89 % (n=81) do eat fruit; 86 % (n=78) vegetables; 100 % (n=91) consume meat; dairy products and derivatives 98 % (n=89); legumes it was obtained that 82 % (n=75) consume it; 88 % (n=80) consume sugary drinks; and in terms of the consumption of pure water, 60 % (n=55) make adequate consumption. For the anthropometric data, 43 % (n=39) weigh between 50 and 59.9 kg; 57 % (n=52) measure between 151 and 160 cm, 85 % (n=77) have adequate height, 70 % (n=64) of classical dance students are at risk of suffering behavioral disorders food according to the SCOFF scale; while 99 % (n=90) of the dancers do not present any risk of suffering from Bulimia Nervosa according to the BULIT scale. Conclusion: We conclude that classical dance dancers are likely to suffer from eating disorders, since this population is considered highly exposed, especially in the adolescent stage, since even today there is social pressure on the canon of beauty that they must achieve and sustain to be accepted and included.