TRAINING IN CLASSICAL DANCE IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE - WHAT INFLUENCE ON BULIMIA-NERVOSA IN ADULT PATIENTS

EDI-scores of two groups of patients (one with no or relatively short and one with extended training in classical ballet dancing in the past ) in treatment at an outpatient clinic for eating disorders were compa red. The two groups were not different on main clinical characteristic s or on a composite variable Bulimic Syndrome (based on a factor analy sis) in which scores on the EDI-subscales Bulimia, Body Dissatisfactio n, and Interpersonal Distrust were combined. Significant differences w ere found for Emotional Deficiency (Interoceptive Awareness and Maturi ty Fears) and Performance Striving (Drive for Thinness, Perfectionism, and Ineffectiveness), patients with extended ballet training in the p ast having significantly higher scores.