Effects of a somatic dance course on body image, embodied self-awareness, and disordered eating risk in female university students: a quasi-experimental study
October 18th, 2026
China
Jiage Yin
This study examined whether an 8-week improvisational dance course could improve body image and reduce disordered eating risk among female university students. Compared with regular physical education courses, the study explored changes in body appreciation, functionality appreciation, and body surveillance, highlighting dance as a potential approach to promoting positive body image.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1933772
Posted byAnandita Gupta
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Abstract/Description
Body image concerns and disordered eating risk are common among female university students, and contemporary frameworks increasingly emphasize positive body image and embodiment. This quasi-experimental, pre-post controlled study examined whether an 8-week somatic-oriented improvisational dance course, delivered as a non-competitive university body education elective and compared with regular university physical education electives, was associated with changes in body appreciation, embodied self-awareness, disordered eating risk, functionality appreciation, and body surveillance.
