title: A comparison of actual-ideal weight discrepancy, body appreciation, and media influence between street-dancers and non-dancers.
abstract: Previous work on body image has tended to treat dancers as a relatively homogenous group, despite the existence of different dance styles and genres. In the current study, we examined body image among individuals involved in street-dancing (genres that typically evolved outside formal settings and are often improvisational in nature) and an age-matched comparison of non-dancers. A total of 83 street-dancers and 84 non-dancers completed scales measuring their actual-ideal weight discrepancy, body appreciation, sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, and demographics. Controlling for participant body mass index (BMI), results showed no significant between-group difference in actual-ideal weight discrepancy, although street-dancers had significantly higher body appreciation than non-dancers. In addition, media influences were implicated in body image concepts for both groups, although internalisation of athletic ideals was more important for street-dancers. These results are discussed in relation to the extant research on body image among dancers.
authors.affiliation: University of Westminster, London, UK. virenswami@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Viren
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Swami
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tovée
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003615:Dancing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult