Glossary · Mental Health
How one's own body is perceived and evaluated
Body image describes how a person perceives, evaluates, and feels about their own body – independent of how the body actually looks. It includes perceptual, cognitive, and emotional components and can shift depending on situation, environment, or day-to-day state.
In ballet, body image is particularly closely tied to aesthetic ideals: studio mirrors, body-revealing costumes, and a long tradition of specific body lines keep one's own silhouette constantly visible and open to evaluation. A study of classical ballet dancers found that participants were satisfied with their bodies in everyday life but notably less satisfied specifically within the context of ballet training – a sign of how strongly the immediate environment can shape body image. In adolescents, a link has been described between pronounced body dissatisfaction and an increased risk of disordered eating. The use of mirrors in class is also discussed with some nuance: the visual image in the mirror can override one's own felt sense of the body, making it harder for dancers to learn movement through internal perception rather than appearance.
Because a strained body image is a recognized risk factor for disordered eating, CENIT e.V. is committed to fostering a dance training environment that places more emphasis on movement quality and bodily sensation than on outward appearance. Thoughtful use of mirrors, feedback, and language in the studio can help support a healthier relationship with one's own body.
This entry serves to convey knowledge in a prevention context and is not a substitute for psychological or medical advice. For persistent body dissatisfaction or signs of disordered eating, we recommend consulting professionals experienced in dance medicine or psychology – for example through ta.med's referral network or the resources provided by IADMS.
Santo André HC, Pinto AJ, Mazzolani BC et al. "Can A Ballerina Eat Ice Cream?": A Mixed-Method Study on Eating Attitudes and Body Image in Female Ballet Dancers. Front Nutr. 2021;8:665654. doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.665654 · Ohashi YB, Wang SB, Shingleton RM, Nock MK. Body dissatisfaction, ideals, and identity in the development of disordered eating among adolescent ballet dancers. Int J Eat Disord. 2023;56(9). doi.org/10.1002/eat.24005 · IADMS Resource Paper: Mirrors in the Dance Class – Help or Hurt? International Association for Dance Medicine & Science. iadms.org
