Table 2 Comparison of female and male dancers with regard to symptoms of eating disorders (EDE-QS) [32], body mass index (BMI), attitude and behaviour related to weight, and nutrition habits
| Â | Female dancers | Male dancers | Gender difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Eating disorders (EDE-QS) | N = 81 | N = 66 | Chi2 = 2.9; p = 0.09 Phi = − 0.14 |
 No (< 15) | 69 (85.2%) | 62 (93.9%) | |
 Yes (> 14) | 12 (14.8%) | 4 (6.1%) | |
Body mass index (kg/m2) | N = 77 | N = 65 | F = 251.0; p < 0.001 |
 Mean (sd) | 18.9 (1.4) | 22.5 (1.4) | |
 Minimum – maximum | 15.4–25.5 | 19.8–25.1 | |
 < 18.5 | 33 (42.9%) | 0 | |
 < 17.5 | 9 (11.7%) | 0 | |
Feeling you should … | N = 79 | N = 66 | Chi2 = 21.5; p < 0.001 Phi = 0.39 |
 Lose weight | 37 (46.8%) | 13 (19.7%) | |
 Gain weight | 2 (2.5%) | 16 (24.2%) | |
 Neither | 40 (50.6%) | 37 (56.1%) | |
Currently trying to… | N = 80 | N = 66 | Chi2 = 15.9; p < 0.001 Phi = 0.33 |
 Lose weight | 28 (35.0%) | 13 (19.7%) | |
 Gain weight | 1 (1.3%) | 13 (19.7%) | |
 Neither | 51 (63.7%) | 40 (60.6%) | |
Special diet | N = 81 | N = 66 | Chi2 = 10.5; p = 0.001 Phi = − 0.27 |
 No | 43 (53.1%) | 52 (78.8%) | |
 Yes | 38 (46.9%) | 14 (21.2%) | |
Food supplements | N = 81 | N = 66 | Chi2 = 0.45; p = 0.50 Phi = 0.06 |
 No | 21 (25.9%) | 14 (21.2%) | |
 Yes | 60 (74.1%) | 52 (78.8%) | |
Diagnosis of eating disorder | N = 78 | N = 55 | Chi2 = 12.9; p = 0.002 Phi = 0.31 |
 No | 59 (75.6%) | 54 (98.2%) | |
 Previously | 15 (19.2%) | 1 (1.8%) | |
 Currently | 4 (5.1%) | 0 |