But they are much more prevalent in women, in part because society and the world of ballet place a higher value on women's looks. Dr. Warren said. Dance is one of the worst areas. The average incidence of eating disorders in the white middle-class population is 1 in 100. In classical ballet, it is one in five.
Men tend to start thir dance training later.
With fewer in the field, they experience less competition. And a part of their work, partnering, requires solid muscles and strength. Women begin their ballet training at aorund age 7, and the crucial point in that training, when they are judged to have the talent and perserverance to become a professional, generally occurs during the already troubled years of puberty. Dancers are reluctant to talk about the problem, the older ones dismissing it as no longer so serious in an era when more information is available about nutrition for dancers. Ms. Guenther's case may be an isolated incident.