Beyond the Stage: Investigating Body Appreciation, Eating Attitudes, and Expectancies for Thinness in Opera and Ballet Artists
Yıl 2025,
Cilt: 6 Sayı: 1, 30 - 43, 27.03.2025
Ahmet Murat Günal
,
Ece Başarık
,
Gamze Çelebioğlu
,
Betül Sema Yamaç Uzunboy
,
Nida Ötekan
,
Mustafa Kaçar
,
Funda Şensoy
Öz
This study examines the relationships between eating attitudes, body appreciation, and interpersonal outcome expectations of thinness among opera and ballet artists. Given the aesthetic and physical demands of these performing arts, the research aims to contribute to healthier self-perceptions and the well-being of performers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 40 opera and 32 ballet artists affiliated with the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Directorate. Data were collected using the Eating Attitudes Test Short Form (EAT-26), the Interpersonal Outcome Expectancies for Thinness Scale (IOET), and the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS). Statistical analyses were conducted at a significance level of 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. Ballet dancers exhibited higher body image investment (p=0.046) and BAS scores (p=0.006) than opera artists, indicating a stronger emphasis on physical aesthetics. 18% of the participants demonstrated unhealthy eating attitudes, with a notable association between income level and EAT scores (p=0.001). Analysis of BAS scores indicated a negative correlation with body mass index (BMI), implying that individuals with higher BMI values reported lower body satisfaction (r=-0.346; p<0.01). A significant positive correlation was observed between IOET and EAT scores (r=0.364; p<0.01), suggesting that individuals who associate thinness with social and professional benefits are more prone to disordered eating behaviors. The findings underscore the vulnerability of opera and ballet artists to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors. These results emphasize the need for healthier body perceptions and eating behaviors in performing artists.
Etik Beyan
Ethical Approval
Ethical approval was obtained from the Istanbul Okan University Ethics Committee (Date: 22.03.2023, Number: 163-23) under the Helsinki Declaration.
Informed Consent
Data were collected face-to-face following the informed consent of the participants.
Destekleyen Kurum
No financial support was received for this research.
Teşekkür
The authors would like to acknowledge the Turkish State Opera and Ballet Directorate General for their permission and the artists who participated in the study amid their busy schedules.
Kaynakça
- Alim, N. E., Caliskan, G., Gokustun, K. K., & Akkus, Z. N. (2019). Validation of a Turkish version of the interpersonal outcome expectancies for thinness (IOET) scale in university students. Progress in Nutrition, 21(4), 1045–1051. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.23751/pn.v21i4.9042
- Arcelus, J., Witcomb, G. L., & Mitchell, A. (2014). Prevalence of Eating Disorders amongst Dancers: A Systemic Review and Meta‐Analysis. European Eating Disorders Review, 22(2), 92–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2271
- Avalos, L., Tylka, T. L., & Wood-Barcalow, N. (2005). The Body Appreciation Scale: Development and psychometric evaluation. Body Image, 2(3), 285–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2005.06.002
- Bakalım, O., & Taşdelen-Karçkay, A. (2016). Body Appreciation Scale: Evaluation of Factor structure and Psychometric Properties among Male and Female Turkish University Students. Mersin Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.17860/efd.38032
- Challis, J. (2023). Nutrition for Dance and Performance. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003219002
- Chen, J., Peng, S., & Wei, Y. (2024). New media facilitate adolescents’ body dissatisfaction and eating disorders in Mainland China. Trends in Molecular Medicine, 30(4), 314–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed.2024.02.011
- de Medeiros Eufrásio, R. E., Ferreira, R. L. U., Leal, L. L. A., Avelino, E. B., da Costa Pelonha, R. N., da Cruz Carvalho, M. C., de Medeiros Torres, C. H., de Sousa Praseres, A. L., de Paiva Lima Filho, M., Mota, A. C. C. C., Nunes, A. B., Ferreira, D. Q. C., de Lima Vale, S. H., & Maciel, B. L. L. (2021). Amateur ballet practicing, body image and eating behaviors: a comparative study of classical ballet dancers, gym users and sedentary women. Journal of Eating Disorders, 9(1), 106. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-021-00459-9
- Ergüney-Okumuş, F. E., & Sertel-Berk, H. Ö. (2020). Yeme Tutum Testi Kısa Formunun (YTT-26) Üniversite Örnekleminde Türkçeye Uyarlanması ve Psikometrik Özelliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi. Psikoloji Çalışmaları / Studies in Psychology, 40(1), 57–78. https://doi.org/10.26650/SP2019-0039
- Faria, B., Frontini, R., & Antunes, R. (2021). Body image and well-being in dance practitioners: An exploratory study. Cuadernos de Psicología Del Deporte, 21(3), 168–178. https://doi.org/10.6018/cpd.467081
- Fernholz, I., Mumm, J. L. M., Plag, J., Noeres, K., Rotter, G., Willich, S. N., Ströhle, A., Berghöfer, A., & Schmidt, A. (2019). Performance anxiety in professional musicians: a systematic review on prevalence, risk factors and clinical treatment effects. Psychological Medicine, 49(14), 2287–2306. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291719001910
- Garner, D. M., Olmsted, M. P., Bohr, Y., & Garfinkel, P. E. (1982). The Eating Attitudes Test: psychometric features and clinical correlates. Psychological Medicine, 12(4), 871–878. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291700049163
- Ghaferi, A. A., Schwartz, T. A., & Pawlik, T. M. (2021). STROBE Reporting Guidelines for Observational Studies. JAMA Surgery, 156(6), 577. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2021.0528
- Günal, A. M., Karlı, K., & Yılmaz, H. Ö. (2023). Risk of eating disorders and its association with expectations of thinness, body satisfaction and body mass index in Turkish university students: A cross-sectional study. Progress in Nutrition, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.23751/PN.V25I2.13582
- Junge, A., & Hauschild, A. (2023). Behind the Curtain: Prevalence of Symptoms of Depression, Generalised Anxiety and Eating Disorders in 147 Professional Dancers from Six Opera Houses or State Theatres. Sports Medicine - Open, 9(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/S40798-023-00638-9/TABLES/4
- Kalyva, S., Yannakoulia, M., Koutsouba, M., & Venetsanou, F. (2023). Disturbed eating attitudes, social physique anxiety, and perceived pressure for thin body in professional dancers. Research in Dance Education, 24(3), 210–221. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647893.2021.1940124
- Kenny, D. T., Davis, P., & Oates, J. (2004). Music performance anxiety and occupational stress amongst opera chorus artists and their relationship with state and trait anxiety and perfectionism. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 18(6), 757–777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2003.09.004
- Koutures, C. (2023). Performing arts. In The Youth Athlete (pp. 863–869). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99992-2.00079-7
Kumar, M. M. (2023). Eating Disorders in Youth with Chronic Health Conditions: Clinical Strategies for Early Recognition and Prevention. Nutrients, 15(17), 3672. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173672
- Li, M., Chang, E. C., & Chang, O. D. (2019). Psychometric Properties of the Interpersonal Outcome Expectancies for Thinness (IOET) Scale: Evidence for Validity, Reliability, and Utility in the Study of Eating Disturbances in Females. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 38(2), 160–179. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2019.38.2.160
- Maftei, A., & Merlici, I.-A. (2023). Am I thin enough? Social media use and the ideal body stereotype: The mediating role of perceived socio-cultural pressure and the moderating role of cognitive fusion. Current Psychology, 42(24), 21071–21084. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02938-x
- Matos, R., Lencastre, L., Rocha, V., Torres, S., Vieira, F., Barbosa, M. R., Ascenção, J., & Guerra, M. P. (2021). Quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: the role of positive psychological factors. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 9(1), 989–1005. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2021.2007098
- Melisse, B., Blankers, M., de Beurs, E., & van Furth, E. F. (2022). Correlates of eating disorder pathology in Saudi Arabia: BMI and body dissatisfaction. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10(1), 126. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00652-4
- Mikhail, M. E., Ackerman, L. S., Anaya, C., Culbert, K. M., Burt, S. A., & Klump, K. L. (2023). Associations between household income and disordered eating differ across sex and racial identity in a population‐based sample of adults. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 56(7), 1391–1405. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23948
- Nicholas, J., & Grafenauer, S. (2023). Investigating pre-professional dancer health status and preventative health knowledge. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, 1271362. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1271362
- Polivy, J., Garner, D. M., & Garfinkel, P. E. (2022). Causes and Consequences of the Current Preference for Thin Female Physiques. In Physical Appearance, Stigma, and Social Behavior (pp. 89–112). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003308928-5
- Rodgers, R. F., Fischer, L. E., Laveway, K., Laws, K., & Bui, E. (2022). Fear of fatness and desire for thinness as distinct experiences: A qualitative exploration. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 55(4), 530–540. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23689
- Romano, K. A., Heron, K. E., & Henson, J. M. (2021). Examining associations among weight stigma, weight bias internalization, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorder symptoms: Does weight status matter? Body Image, 37, 38–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.01.006
- Santo André, H. C., Pinto, A. J., Mazzolani, B. C., Smaira, F. I., Ulian, M. D., Gualano, B., & Benatti, F. B. (2022). “Can A Ballerina Eat Ice Cream?”: A Mixed-Method Study on Eating Attitudes and Body Image in Female Ballet Dancers. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 665654. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.665654
- Spahn, C., Echternach, M., Zander, M. F., Voltmer, E., & Richter, B. (2010). Music performance anxiety in opera singers. Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology, 35(4), 175–182. https://doi.org/10.3109/14015431003720600
- Swami, V., & Harris, A. S. (2012). Dancing Toward Positive Body Image? Examining Body-Related Constructs with Ballet and Contemporary Dancers at Different Levels. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 34(1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-012-9129-7
- Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2001). Using Multivariate Statistics Needham Heights. MA: Allyn & Bacon.
- Walton, C. C., Kirby, J. N., McKenzie, S., Gao, C. X., Purcell, R., Rice, S. M., & Osborne, M. S. (2025). A preliminary investigation into self-compassion and compassion-based intervention for mental health in the performing arts. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1512114. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1512114
Sahne Ötesinde: Opera ve Bale Sanatçılarında Beden Memnuniyeti, Yeme Tutumları ve Zayıflık Beklentilerinin İncelenmesi
Yıl 2025,
Cilt: 6 Sayı: 1, 30 - 43, 27.03.2025
Ahmet Murat Günal
,
Ece Başarık
,
Gamze Çelebioğlu
,
Betül Sema Yamaç Uzunboy
,
Nida Ötekan
,
Mustafa Kaçar
,
Funda Şensoy
Öz
Bu çalışma, opera ve bale sanatçıları arasında yeme tutumları, beden takdiri ve zayıflık beklentileri arasındaki ilişkileri incelemektedir. Araştırma, sahne sanatlarının estetik ve fiziksel gereklilikleri göz önüne alındığında, sanatçıların daha sağlıklı benlik algılarına sahip olmalarına ve iyi oluşlarına katkıda bulunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma, İstanbul Devlet Opera ve Balesi Müdürlüğü’ne bağlı 40 opera sanatçısı ve 32 bale sanatçısı üzerinde kesitsel bir tasarımla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler, Yeme Tutum Testi Kısa Formu (YTT-26), Kişilerarası Zayıflık Beklentileri Ölçeği (IOET-TR) ve Beden Memnuniyeti Ölçeği (BMÖ) kullanılarak toplanmıştır. İstatistiksel analizler 0,05 anlamlılık düzeyi ve %95 güven aralığında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bale dansçılarının, opera sanatçılarına kıyasla beden imajına daha fazla yatırım yaptıkları (p=0,046) ve BMÖ puanlarının daha yüksek olduğu (p=0,006) belirlenmiştir; bu durum, fiziksel estetiğe daha fazla önem verildiğini göstermektedir. Katılımcıların %18’inin sağlıksız yeme tutumları sergilediği ve gelir düzeyi ile YTT puanları arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olduğu saptanmıştır (p=0,001). BMÖ puanlarının beden kütle indeksi (BKİ) ile negatif bir korelasyon gösterdiği bulunmuştur; bu durum, daha yüksek BKİ değerine sahip bireylerin daha düşük beden memnuniyeti bildirdiğini göstermektedir (r=-0,346; p<0,01). IOET ve YTT puanları arasında anlamlı pozitif bir korelasyon bulunmuştur (r=0,364; p<0,01); bu da zayıflığın sosyal ve profesyonel avantajlar sağladığını düşünen bireylerin bozulmuş yeme davranışı geliştirmeye daha yatkın olabileceğini göstermektedir. Bulgular, opera ve bale sanatçılarının beden memnuniyetsizliği ve bozulmuş yeme davranışları açısından hassas olduklarını ortaya koymaktadır. Bu sonuçlar, sahne sanatçılarında daha sağlıklı beden algılarının ve yeme davranışlarının teşvik edilmesi gerekliliğini vurgulamaktadır.
Kaynakça
- Alim, N. E., Caliskan, G., Gokustun, K. K., & Akkus, Z. N. (2019). Validation of a Turkish version of the interpersonal outcome expectancies for thinness (IOET) scale in university students. Progress in Nutrition, 21(4), 1045–1051. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.23751/pn.v21i4.9042
- Arcelus, J., Witcomb, G. L., & Mitchell, A. (2014). Prevalence of Eating Disorders amongst Dancers: A Systemic Review and Meta‐Analysis. European Eating Disorders Review, 22(2), 92–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2271
- Avalos, L., Tylka, T. L., & Wood-Barcalow, N. (2005). The Body Appreciation Scale: Development and psychometric evaluation. Body Image, 2(3), 285–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2005.06.002
- Bakalım, O., & Taşdelen-Karçkay, A. (2016). Body Appreciation Scale: Evaluation of Factor structure and Psychometric Properties among Male and Female Turkish University Students. Mersin Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.17860/efd.38032
- Challis, J. (2023). Nutrition for Dance and Performance. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003219002
- Chen, J., Peng, S., & Wei, Y. (2024). New media facilitate adolescents’ body dissatisfaction and eating disorders in Mainland China. Trends in Molecular Medicine, 30(4), 314–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed.2024.02.011
- de Medeiros Eufrásio, R. E., Ferreira, R. L. U., Leal, L. L. A., Avelino, E. B., da Costa Pelonha, R. N., da Cruz Carvalho, M. C., de Medeiros Torres, C. H., de Sousa Praseres, A. L., de Paiva Lima Filho, M., Mota, A. C. C. C., Nunes, A. B., Ferreira, D. Q. C., de Lima Vale, S. H., & Maciel, B. L. L. (2021). Amateur ballet practicing, body image and eating behaviors: a comparative study of classical ballet dancers, gym users and sedentary women. Journal of Eating Disorders, 9(1), 106. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-021-00459-9
- Ergüney-Okumuş, F. E., & Sertel-Berk, H. Ö. (2020). Yeme Tutum Testi Kısa Formunun (YTT-26) Üniversite Örnekleminde Türkçeye Uyarlanması ve Psikometrik Özelliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi. Psikoloji Çalışmaları / Studies in Psychology, 40(1), 57–78. https://doi.org/10.26650/SP2019-0039
- Faria, B., Frontini, R., & Antunes, R. (2021). Body image and well-being in dance practitioners: An exploratory study. Cuadernos de Psicología Del Deporte, 21(3), 168–178. https://doi.org/10.6018/cpd.467081
- Fernholz, I., Mumm, J. L. M., Plag, J., Noeres, K., Rotter, G., Willich, S. N., Ströhle, A., Berghöfer, A., & Schmidt, A. (2019). Performance anxiety in professional musicians: a systematic review on prevalence, risk factors and clinical treatment effects. Psychological Medicine, 49(14), 2287–2306. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291719001910
- Garner, D. M., Olmsted, M. P., Bohr, Y., & Garfinkel, P. E. (1982). The Eating Attitudes Test: psychometric features and clinical correlates. Psychological Medicine, 12(4), 871–878. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291700049163
- Ghaferi, A. A., Schwartz, T. A., & Pawlik, T. M. (2021). STROBE Reporting Guidelines for Observational Studies. JAMA Surgery, 156(6), 577. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2021.0528
- Günal, A. M., Karlı, K., & Yılmaz, H. Ö. (2023). Risk of eating disorders and its association with expectations of thinness, body satisfaction and body mass index in Turkish university students: A cross-sectional study. Progress in Nutrition, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.23751/PN.V25I2.13582
- Junge, A., & Hauschild, A. (2023). Behind the Curtain: Prevalence of Symptoms of Depression, Generalised Anxiety and Eating Disorders in 147 Professional Dancers from Six Opera Houses or State Theatres. Sports Medicine - Open, 9(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/S40798-023-00638-9/TABLES/4
- Kalyva, S., Yannakoulia, M., Koutsouba, M., & Venetsanou, F. (2023). Disturbed eating attitudes, social physique anxiety, and perceived pressure for thin body in professional dancers. Research in Dance Education, 24(3), 210–221. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647893.2021.1940124
- Kenny, D. T., Davis, P., & Oates, J. (2004). Music performance anxiety and occupational stress amongst opera chorus artists and their relationship with state and trait anxiety and perfectionism. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 18(6), 757–777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2003.09.004
- Koutures, C. (2023). Performing arts. In The Youth Athlete (pp. 863–869). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99992-2.00079-7
Kumar, M. M. (2023). Eating Disorders in Youth with Chronic Health Conditions: Clinical Strategies for Early Recognition and Prevention. Nutrients, 15(17), 3672. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173672
- Li, M., Chang, E. C., & Chang, O. D. (2019). Psychometric Properties of the Interpersonal Outcome Expectancies for Thinness (IOET) Scale: Evidence for Validity, Reliability, and Utility in the Study of Eating Disturbances in Females. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 38(2), 160–179. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2019.38.2.160
- Maftei, A., & Merlici, I.-A. (2023). Am I thin enough? Social media use and the ideal body stereotype: The mediating role of perceived socio-cultural pressure and the moderating role of cognitive fusion. Current Psychology, 42(24), 21071–21084. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02938-x
- Matos, R., Lencastre, L., Rocha, V., Torres, S., Vieira, F., Barbosa, M. R., Ascenção, J., & Guerra, M. P. (2021). Quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: the role of positive psychological factors. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 9(1), 989–1005. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2021.2007098
- Melisse, B., Blankers, M., de Beurs, E., & van Furth, E. F. (2022). Correlates of eating disorder pathology in Saudi Arabia: BMI and body dissatisfaction. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10(1), 126. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00652-4
- Mikhail, M. E., Ackerman, L. S., Anaya, C., Culbert, K. M., Burt, S. A., & Klump, K. L. (2023). Associations between household income and disordered eating differ across sex and racial identity in a population‐based sample of adults. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 56(7), 1391–1405. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23948
- Nicholas, J., & Grafenauer, S. (2023). Investigating pre-professional dancer health status and preventative health knowledge. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, 1271362. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1271362
- Polivy, J., Garner, D. M., & Garfinkel, P. E. (2022). Causes and Consequences of the Current Preference for Thin Female Physiques. In Physical Appearance, Stigma, and Social Behavior (pp. 89–112). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003308928-5
- Rodgers, R. F., Fischer, L. E., Laveway, K., Laws, K., & Bui, E. (2022). Fear of fatness and desire for thinness as distinct experiences: A qualitative exploration. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 55(4), 530–540. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23689
- Romano, K. A., Heron, K. E., & Henson, J. M. (2021). Examining associations among weight stigma, weight bias internalization, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorder symptoms: Does weight status matter? Body Image, 37, 38–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.01.006
- Santo André, H. C., Pinto, A. J., Mazzolani, B. C., Smaira, F. I., Ulian, M. D., Gualano, B., & Benatti, F. B. (2022). “Can A Ballerina Eat Ice Cream?”: A Mixed-Method Study on Eating Attitudes and Body Image in Female Ballet Dancers. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 665654. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.665654
- Spahn, C., Echternach, M., Zander, M. F., Voltmer, E., & Richter, B. (2010). Music performance anxiety in opera singers. Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology, 35(4), 175–182. https://doi.org/10.3109/14015431003720600
- Swami, V., & Harris, A. S. (2012). Dancing Toward Positive Body Image? Examining Body-Related Constructs with Ballet and Contemporary Dancers at Different Levels. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 34(1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-012-9129-7
- Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2001). Using Multivariate Statistics Needham Heights. MA: Allyn & Bacon.
- Walton, C. C., Kirby, J. N., McKenzie, S., Gao, C. X., Purcell, R., Rice, S. M., & Osborne, M. S. (2025). A preliminary investigation into self-compassion and compassion-based intervention for mental health in the performing arts. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1512114. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1512114