Abstract

This study was performed in order to compare the differences in dietary self-efficacy and eating behaviors as well as the relationship of weight control attitudes according to eating disorder perception and obesity index for high school girls majoring in dance. Almost half (45.5%) of the subjects perceived eating disorders, and the rate of underweight group was 45.7%. Forty-four percent of the group that perceived eating disorders were in modern dance, while 55.0% of the group that did not perceived eating disorders were in Korean dance (P <0.05). For the obesity index, a similar rate was shown between the different types of dance for the underweight group, but in the normal group, 54.5% were in Korean dance (P <0.05). Most (82.0%) of the group that perceived eating disorders had fears on obesity, while only 53.3% of the non-perceiving group had fears on obesity (P <0.01). Over half (58.3%) of the underweight group had fears on obesity, while 77.2% of the normal group showed fear in that (P <0.05). For necessity of weight loss to do dance performances, 25.0% of the underweight group and 57.9% of the normal group need that (P <0.05). Most of the group that perceived eating disorders (92.0%) answered that they had experience in very low calorie diets, while only 40.0% of the non-perceiving group had experience (P <0.001). For necessity of calorie education, 42.0% of the group that perceived eating disorders and only 20.0% of the non-perceiving group answered is needed (P <0.05). For eating behavior , the group that perceived eating disorders had lower total scores compared to the non-perceiving group (P <0.001), The group that perceived eating disorders showed lower scores for restraint eating (P <0.01) and emotional factors (P <0.001) except by external eating. This study showed that high school girls majoring in dance have high interest in weight control and problems with wrongful body images and eating behaviors, as well as need for calorie education were suggested. Thus, it is necessary to develop and execute a proper weight control education program for the subjects.

• Keywords: weight control; dietary self-efficacy; eating behaviors; perception of eating disorders; dance major