Ballet is often seen as the epitome of grace, discipline, and artistry. From its origins in the 15th-century Italian Renaissance courts to its modern-day prominence in elite theaters worldwide, ballet has always demanded perfection. However, alongside its beauty and prestige, there exists a dark undercurrent—one that has long been ingrained in the culture of dance: eating disorders. The expectation for ballerinas to maintain a certain body type has contributed to the normalization of disordered eating, pushing dancers to extreme measures to fit an often unattainable ideal. But how did it get so bad? To understand this, we must examine the evolution of body standards in ballet, the influence of teachers and institutions, and the systemic pressures that have fueled this crisis.
The Historical Ideal: The Birth of the Ballet Body
Ballet’s emphasis on the “ideal” dancer’s body can be traced back centuries. In the 19th century, ballerinas were expected to be petite, delicate, and ethereal, a vision popularized by the Romantic era’s fixation on otherworldly, almost supernatural beauty. The invention of pointe shoes in the early 1800s further reinforced the idea that ballerinas should appear weightless, gliding effortlessly across the stage. As ballet became more technical, dancers were encouraged to be as light as possible to execute increasingly demanding jumps, turns, and extensions.
By the mid-20th century, the ballet world saw a dramatic shift with the rise of George Balanchine, a Russian choreographer who revolutionized American ballet. Balanchine favored long-limbed, extremely thin dancers, cementing an industry-wide standard that is still pervasive today. Under his influence, dancers were expected to have minimal body fat, exaggerated hyperextension, and a lean, elongated look. His aesthetic preferences became the gold standard, with many elite ballet companies selecting dancers based on their ability to fit this mold rather than solely on skill or artistry.
The Role of Teachers and Institutions in Reinforcing Disordered Eating
As ballet’s aesthetic ideals became more rigid, so too did the expectations placed on dancers. Many ballet schools and conservatories adopted a culture of body surveillance, where young dancers were scrutinized for their weight, body shape, and even genetics. It became common for instructors to compare students to one another, openly favoring those who naturally had “ballet bodies” and pressuring others to lose weight.
Weigh-ins, diet monitoring, and outright food shaming became normal practices in many ballet institutions. Some dancers were told to eat nothing but salads or to skip meals altogether to maintain a certain physique. Others were given weight loss goals as part of their training regimen.
Many of these harmful messages were delivered under the guise of “constructive criticism” from teachers and directors who insisted that maintaining a low weight was necessary for a professional career. Unfortunately, these expectations led many dancers to engage in restrictive eating, purging, and excessive exercise, all in the pursuit of approval from their mentors and peers.
The Psychological Toll: Internalized Pressures and Competitive Environments
Beyond external pressures, ballet fosters an inherently competitive environment where perfection is not just encouraged but expected. Dancers train from a young age in an atmosphere where their bodies are constantly judged, leading them to internalize harmful beliefs about food and self-worth. The pressure to fit the mold can lead to obsessive calorie counting, guilt around eating, and a cycle of restriction and bingeing.
Social comparison also plays a significant role. Seeing peers being praised for their thinness reinforces the idea that success in ballet is tied to body size. Dancers often develop distorted perceptions of their own bodies, viewing themselves as “too big” even when they are at dangerously low weights. This phenomenon, known as body dysmorphia, is especially common in ballet due to the constant exposure to mirrors, form-fitting leotards, and an unrelenting emphasis on physical appearance.
The Cost of Perfection: Injury and Long-Term Consequences
The pursuit of extreme thinness in ballet has devastating consequences beyond eating disorders. Malnutrition weakens bones, increasing the risk of stress fractures and osteoporosis. Dancers who are undernourished struggle with muscle fatigue, slow recovery times, and heightened susceptibility to injuries. The long-term effects of restrictive eating can also lead to hormonal imbalances, menstrual irregularities, and even fertility issues later in life.
Many dancers who leave the industry struggle with disordered eating long after they stop performing. The habits ingrained in them during their training—restricting food, associating self-worth with body size, and feeling guilt around eating—can take years to unlearn. For some, recovery remains a lifelong battle.
Changing the Culture: A Slow but Necessary Shift
Although the problem is deeply rooted, there are efforts being made to shift the ballet culture towards a healthier and more inclusive future. More dancers and former professionals are speaking out about their struggles, advocating for a dance world that prioritizes health over an arbitrary aesthetic. Some ballet companies are beginning to move away from outdated body standards, recognizing that talent and artistry should not be overshadowed by rigid body expectations.
Organizations dedicated to dancer health and wellness, such as The Healthy Dancer Project and the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), are also working to raise awareness and provide resources for dancers struggling with food and body image issues. Some schools have started implementing nutritional education programs that promote balanced eating rather than restriction.
Conclusion: The Future of Ballet and Body Acceptance
Ballet’s history of promoting disordered eating is a painful reality, but the conversation is beginning to change. While body ideals in the dance world may not disappear overnight, awareness and advocacy are crucial steps toward dismantling harmful standards. Dancers deserve to be valued for their strength, talent, and dedication—not for how little they weigh.
The evolution of eating disorders in ballet has been fueled by centuries of unrealistic expectations, but the future doesn’t have to follow the same path. By challenging outdated norms and fostering a culture of acceptance and nourishment, we can ensure that future generations of dancers are supported in both their artistic and physical well-being. After all, ballet is about movement, expression, and storytelling—not about fitting into an impossible mold.