Características antropométricas y hábitos alimentarios de estudiantes de danza clásica, Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón

Introduction

Dance student has a high demand, due to technical and talent they have possess, as well as the development of a slender and slim figure that has to be maintained.

The aim of the study was to describe the anthropometric characteristics and eating habits of dance students.

Materials and methods

Sample: 16 female students of classical dance 8-14 years. Variables studied: Eating habits and anthropometric variables.

Results

The mean age was 11.58 years. The BMI was 15.91 kg/m² (SD 1.43), of whom 62.5% were normal. The sum of folds had a mean of 52 mm (SD 9.99, range 38 to 67 mm). The muscle mass percentage was higher than fat mass, 35.73% (SD 2.8) vs. 32.37% (SD 4.2). The weight of muscle and fat mass was 12.23 kg (SD 2.85) and 10.96 kg (SD 3.45), respectively.

The muscle/bone index was 2.45 (SD 0.24), and an adipose/muscle ratio of 0.9 (SD 0.17).

Most had 4 meals daily and consumed adequate dairy products and meat, although 37.5% made an inadequate breakfast, 44 and 75% had an inadequate consumption of fruit and vegetables, respectively.

Conclusions

The main question should not be losing weight, but to change the figure at the expense of adequate reduction of body fat without losing muscle mass significantly. This should not affect the continuous learning of artistic technique and the normal processes of growth, maturation and development.