The EmBODYment Project: Body Image in College-Age Dancers

Body image encompasses how one perceives, thinks, acts, and feels toward their body. Dance is a highly athletic art form that requires significant strength, flexibility, and artistry. Thus, a dancer must constantly self-reflect on and receive feedback regarding parts of their body, potentially impacting their body image. Additionally, dancers are at a higher risk of developing disordered eating behaviors than the general population. Although several studies have explored the relationship between dancers and body image or disordered eating concerns, few studies have examined college dance students specifically. This mixed methods study examines college-age dancers’ training experiences, body image, and eating behaviors. It is hypothesized that participants with more years of training and those who primarily trained in ballet will experience more negative body image and higher rates of disordered eating. Students in the UM Dance Department have been invited to complete a survey with questions regarding their past and current training and measures of body image and eating behaviors. Twelve participants will also complete a recorded qualitative interview. In addition to questions about participant experiences, the interview will include two dance improvisation prompts. The interviews will be transcribed, and the data will be coded and analyzed for themes. Dance movement will also be analyzed for trends in speed, use of space, and resistance. In addition to addressing a gap in the literature on body image and eating behaviors in college-age dancers, this study will offer insight about the needs of the students in the UM Dance Department. This information can be used to develop nutrition and body-image programming to address these needs. Furthermore, the data from the qualitative interviews will be used as a basis to create a choreographic work to be performed, extending the reach of the findings of this study.