Anorexia: The Most Common Eating Disorder in Dancers

Anorexia is a common eating disorder amongst dancers of any age.  How do I know this, I see it.  I am a dancer myself, and I teach dance classes. Even though it is not a real diagnosis, it is easy to tell which dancer has an eating disorder and which dancer does not.  When having conversation with my students, I can even tell by conversation, I fear that anorexia will become a problem for them.   I have noticed this problem getting worse and worse in younger dancers each day.

Since I have my own dance classes, I have attended many seminars on dancers and anorexia.  These seminars have taught me why dancers feel the need to look like "stick figures."  We are taught how to guide our students away from this thinking matter, and not to focus on a dancer's "image" but on their technique.

Many dancers have the picture in their minds that if they are skinny, they will become better dancers, and they will  look better. What these dancer's don't understand is that you can be fit and thin without actually starving yourself.  Here are some safe ways to do this:

• Eating Healthy- Making sure that your not putting junk food into your system is very important.  The more unhealthy food you eat, the more weight you are going to gain, no matter how much you dance.  Eating healthy will give you more energy so that you can dance more, and it will help you stay fit.
• Exercise- If you exercise moderately and if you keep dancing, you will sure keep fit and feel better without starving yourself.  As a dancer, since your always moving, you need the nutrients to keep your body healthy and mobile.
• See A Nutritionist- If your a dancer, or know anyone who dances, and you sense yourself or them heading towards anorexia-suggest or go straight to a nutritionist.  A nutritionist will make a plan that specializes towards a dancer's body and workout.  They will help set a meal plan that will keep you healthy and fit at the same time.

Many dancers do not admit they have anorexia.  I know this because I can sense this just by teaching as much as I do.  It is important that everyone recognizes the signs of a dancer who is becoming anorexic and seek help.  The less a dancer eats, and dances/works out, the less energy she/he will have to dance.  This then will result in a sick dancer.

Some signs that a dancer is becoming anorexic are:

• Excessive dancing
• Excessive working out
• Constantly checking their body in the mirror before and after they dance
• Not eating before and after dance sessions

It is important that we notice these signs and seek help.

www.webmd.com