Body mass index, body fat mass and the occurrence of amenorrhea in ballet dancers

Abstract

To evaluate the connection between menstrual disorders and body fat mass, we examined a group of 30 ballet dancers and a group of 30 non-athletic girls (controls). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and percent body fat (FAT%) was measured using the bioelectrical impedance method. A questionnaire was used to obtain age at menarche and duration of menstrual cycles. Ballet dancers had significantly lower values of BMI (18.56 +/- 1.53 vs. 19.96 +/- 2.12 kg/m2) and FAT% (18.85 +/- 4.50 vs. 23.41 +/- 4.34%) compared with controls. According to BMI, 50.0% of ballet dancers and 23.3% of the control group were underweight. Of underweight ballet dancers, 66.7% had lower values of body fat, while most underweight girls from the control group had normal body fat. Normal-weight obesity was registered in 40.9% of the control group and in 6.7% of ballet dancers. Amenorrhea was found in 20.0% and oligomenorrhea in 10.0% of ballet dancers. Ballet dancers more frequently had later appearance of menarche and menstrual cycles of longer duration than did non-athletic girls. A significant negative correlation was found between menstrual cycle duration and FAT% among ballet dancers (r = -0.415). To prevent complications caused by changes of body fat mass, we conclude that body composition assessment in ballet dancers is very important.

Physique and Body Composition of Girls Practising Contemporary Dance

“…Similar findings were obtained for male and female ballet dancers from the Croatian National Theatre Ballet [27]. On the other hand, BMI values that were significantly lower than normal ones were noted by Serbian researchers who studied a group of 30 female ballet dancers: according to the classification of BMI levels, 50% of those ballet dancers were underweight [24]. Low BMI values were also found for female ballet dancers examined in the research performed by Dutch and Finnish researchers, who found significantly lower BMI values in dancers than in the control group (18.9 vs. 21.3, respectively) [32].…”

“…The results obtained for the Skerlj index were similar: based on the values of 31.8 (for girls aged 14-15 years) and 31.6 (for those aged 16-17 years), the subjects could be classified as thin. As far as the Pignet index is concerned, it amounted to 29.7 for younger girls and 31.3 for older 24,[192][193][194][195][196][197] ones, which means that the former had a weak physique and the latter had a very weak one. Body proportions were assessed by means of the chest to hip circumference ratio.…”

“…J. Sport Tourism 2017, 24,[192][193][194][195][196][197] thigh, and arm circumferences; as well as chest circumference at rest and during maximal inspiration and expiration. Body composition was analysed based on the following parameters measured using a Tanita MC-980 Body Composition Analyzer: BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate in kcal), FAT (body fat amount in % and kg), FFM (fat-free mass), and TBW (total body water).…”

“…Similar research was conducted using bioelectrical impedance on a group of professional dancers from a dance school in Athens by Greek researchers [23]. Researchers from Serbia, on the other hand, used bioelectrical impedance to determine BMI values and body fat levels in a group of female ballet dancers [24]. The physique and body composition of female dancers practising ballet were also studied by Mihajlović et al [25], and body fat percentage was examined in 112 female ballet dancers aged 15 years and 33 male ballet dancers aged 18 years by researchers from Houston [26].…”

“…J. Sport Tourism 2017, 24,[192][193][194][195][196][197] female players. Moreover, Pietraszewska et al [21] investigated the amount and distribution of body fat in professional soldiers and police officers.…”