Body image distortion, perfectionism and eating disorder symptoms in risk group of female ballet dancers and models and in control group of female students.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this research was to examine differences among two groups of girls, models and ballerinas (with risk factors - experimental group) and young students (control group), in body image preception, body mass index, neurotic perfectionism, body - image distortion and simptoms of eating disorders.


METHODS
The research was conducted with 91 participants divided in two groups, control group - 55 students at University of Sarajevo and experimental group - 13 professional ballerinas, 23 professional models. During this research work we used several measuring instruments: Body mass index; Body Mass Index - Silhouette Matching Test; Neurotic Perfectionism Questioner; Eating Disorders Inventory.


RESULTS
In this study statistically significant differences occur between these two groups of girls which are related to body - image perception and objective position on the body mass index chart. All 91 participants saw themselves as obese. Statistically significant differences occur in body - image distortion and simptoms of eating disorders in the experimental group, they have high scores on body - image distortion, on eating disorders inventory and neurotic perfectionism simptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on th results in this study, we may conclude that there are groups of people who have risk factors for developing some kind of eating disorder, so it would be desirable to create a preventive intervention for young ballerinas and models, but also for those people who coach them, trainers, instructors and managers. For other population groups with risky behavior such as young children, a prevention plan and modifications of cultural influences on people's opinion of body image are extremely important.
Department of Psychiatry, University Clinic Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. emina_psihologija@yahoo.com
Emina
E
Zoletić
Elvira
E
Duraković-Belko
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D001504:Beauty; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003020:Clothing; D003615:Dancing / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010469:Perceptual Distortion; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012951:Socialization; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D013851:Thinness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult