title: Low body weight and menstrual dysfunction are common findings in both elite and amateur ballet dancers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have reported that low body weight and menstrual alterations are very frequent findings in elite dancers, suggesting they could be at risk for associated medical problems. However, it is still largely unknown whether these alterations are also common in the very large number of young amateur dancers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess whether there is an increased prevalence of menstrual dysfunction also in amateur dancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two professional ballet dancers, 93 non-professional ballet dancers, and 293 (160 sedentary, 133 physically active) control women, ranging in age 14-23 yr, were included in the study. In these subjects, a detailed questionnaire that included questions on weight, height, age at menarche, training profile and menstrual alterations was administered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BMI was lower in both professional and non-professional dancers than in controls. Frequency of menstrual dysfunction was 51%, 34% and 21% in professional dancers, non-professional dancers and controls, respectively (p<0.0001). Amenorrhea was reported by 23% of professional dancers, vs 1-7% in the other groups (p<0.0001). Age at menarche occurred later in professional dancers than in the other groups. Logistic regression analyses showed that menstrual dysfunction was associated with the training profile in professional dancers, and with BMI in non-professional dancers. Age at menarche was associated with menstrual dysfunction in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that low body weight and menstrual dysfunction are frequent findings also in amateur ballet dancers.
authors.affiliation: University and AOUI Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bacchi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spiazzi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zendrini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moghetti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003615:Dancing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007899:Leisure Activities; D016015:Logistic Models; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009043:Motor Activity; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013851:Thinness / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult