​Abstract

​Body dissatisfaction is a known antecedent of eating disorders, and with an increase in eating disorders over recent years, it is important to pin point what triggers body dissatisfaction. In a culture, such as our own, it is easy to see where body dissatisfaction may come from; a waif-like figure has become the standard of beauty. This virtually unrealistic image of what is beautiful is, in one way or another, embedded in everyone’s mind. However, for some, this expectation has been reinforced frequently starting at a young age, serious dancers are a group of people who are under constant pressure to maintain a certain shape. The present study aims to reveal a difference between how dancer’s view their body versus how non-dancer’s view their body. 160 participants were pooled from around the Erie area, ranging in ages from 14-34. Participant’s comprising the dancer group were selected from known prestigious dance schools in the area. Individuals were presented with a Body Esteem Measure, as well as a demographic questionnaire that included a series of seven images that increased in Body Mass Index (BMI). Participants were asked to select the image that they thought most accurately represented them, and also to select the image that they felt like on most days. Their height and weight were taken, and their true BMI’s were calculated. Results are expected to show dancer’s being less accurate when asked to select the image that most accurately represents them. Dancers are also predicted to have more of a discrepancy between their self-selected image, and their fell image, additionally dancers are predicted to be less satisfied with their current weight. Due to time constraints, a larger age span was not feasible, but should be looked into in the future.