Dance for Life

Abstract

A substantial majority of women—some 69–84% in the United States— experience body image dissatisfaction (Runfola et al., 2013), often beginning from a young age. Body image dissatisfaction is an empirically supported predictor of maladaptive eating behaviors such as dieting, bulimic behaviors, and weight gain (Bucchianeri, Arikan, Hannan, Eisenberg, & Neumark- Sztainer, 2013). It is also a risk factor for depression (Paxton, Neumark- Sztainer, Hannan, & Eisenberg, 2006) and a mediator of the relationship between body mass index and self-esteem (Bucchianeri et al., 2013). Accordingly, there is an urgent need for preventative interventions and programs where girls can develop the resilience to maintain healthy body image.