Self-reported distortion of body image among classical ballet students in Brazil: classification according to the Body Shape Questionnaire

Body image is an important component of the complex mechanism of personal identity. The subjective component of body image refers to individuals"™ satisfaction with their body size or specific parts of their body. Ballet has been cited in some studies on feeding behavior among athletes as yet another specific group, who value low weight and overvalue esthetics. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential body image disorders among classical ballet students in Brazilian schools through identifying self-reported body image distortion, using the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) as the instrument. This study is fundamental for the formation of all corporal work that physiotherapists do together with dancers, students or professionals. This was a descriptive study conducted in three schools that are officially recognized as training centers for professional dancers in Brazil. The results indicate homogeneity among the BSQ values attained by the students at the participating schools. Differing from the literature, there was no significant difference between the genders in terms of scoring and distribution of classification of the BSQ levels. We conclude that dissatisfaction with body image is a constant variable and important when dealing with ballet students, and that this importance goes beyond just the esthetic values and towards professional performance. Body image distortions can alter the way in which dance students codify their body, which may facilitate disorders in their physical and mental health.Key-words: classical ballet, body image, musculoskeletal system.