E AT I N G D I S O R D E R S I N T H E BA L L E T W O R L D

– J OHN N Y A P P LE SE ED

~ 3.5% of the U.S. population suffers from an eating disorder *~ 13.5% of athletes suffer from an eating disorder *

* Eating Disorder Hope

As many as 83% of dancers meet lifetime criteria for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, a combination of these two eating disorders, or OSFED

(Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder). *

* Brooks-Gunn, J., Warren, M. P., & Hamilton, L. H.

MY STORY

INNEFECTIVE

M Y M O M ’ S G I FT

• Healthy food is delicious and life-giving

• It’s not about the rules• Understanding the biology

of how food breaks down —> informed decisions

• Being skinny and having strength, energy, and stamina are not mutually exclusive

• Diets don’t work

PA S S I N G O N T H E G I FT

Key goal: To equip young dancers with the knowledge and psychological tools that they will

need for the rest of their ballet careers

I aim to decrease the prevalence of eating disorders in the ballet community by improving prevention and treatment efforts in preprofessional ballet schools. Specifically, I advocate for a holistic approach to nutritional education that addresses the unhealthy pathology perpetuated by the aesthetic and physical demands of this athletic art form.

MI S S I O N S TAT E MENT

PL A N O F AC T I O N

1) Improving dance nutritionist training standards

2) Creating a Task Force on Dancer Health for preprofessional ballet schools

3) Initiating ballet school reform

* I N DEP EN DE N T ST U DY

E XT E N D E D E D U C AT I O N F O R DA N C E N U T R I T I O N I S T S /D I E T I T I A N S

• Psychology/Counseling - body image, weight, and food issues• Eating Disorders - prevention, early recognition, and treatment• Ballet - adjusting diet to meet varying physical demands

• Support health and wellness of the individual dancer

Encourage health screenings

Create a support network of dance health professionals

TA SK FORC E ON DA NCE R H EA LTH

BA L L E T S C H O O L R E F O R M1. Summer program: short talk series

• Survey before and after

• Observe dancers’ eating habits pre- and post- talk series

• The book

2. Work with current nutritionist on year-long course curriculum

3. Interview director and artistic staff

4. Improve dining hall standards

5. Assess methodology; expand to other boarding schools

WA S H I N GT O N - T H E DA N C E R

“It was on this festive occasion that General Washington danced a minuet with Mrs. Willis. . . The minuet was much in vogue at that period, and was peculiarly calculated for the display of the splendid figure of the chief, and his natural grace and elegance of air and manners . . . As the evening advanced, the commander-in-chief yielding to the general gayety of the scene, went down some dozen couple in the contre dance with great spirit and satisfaction.”~ G E O R G E WA S H I N GT O N PAR K E CUS T I S

Questions?