PERCEPÇÃO DA IMAGEM CORPORAL E CARACTERÍSTICAS ANTROPOMÉTRICAS DE CRIANÇAS BAILARINAS

Abstract

The perception of body image in children and adolescents has been distorted by several factors, including those related to the environment and the demands imposed by it. The aim of this study was to analyze the perception of the body image of children and adolescents practicing and not practicing classical ballet and to investigate relationships between this perception and anthropometric, maturational and social characteristics. The sample consisted of 111 girls, from 10 to 15 years old (56 dancers and 55 non-dancers) enrolled in public schools in Goiânia-GO. The procedures performed were anamnesis on health conditions and socioeconomic level, assessment of sexual maturation (Tanner scale), physical examination with anthropometric measures of weight, height and body mass index (BMI) and analysis of the perception of body image (Scale of Silhouettes). Data analysis was performed using tests of group comparisons and correlations. The results showed that in both groups there was an underestimation of the perception of body image with a perceived BMI lower than the real BMI (> 75%). It was also noticed a higher level of breast maturation is correlated with a higher real and perceived BMI and a higher family income is correlated with these smaller parameters. It is concluded that the studied girls presented distortion in the perception of body image, in order to feel thinner than they really were, regardless of the practice of classical ballet. High family income was related to a lower BMI (real and perceived) and greater breast development to a higher BMI (real and perceived).