What if a dancer or parent is told that the dancer needs to lose weight?

A request or recommendation concerning weight should never be treated casually when the dancer is a minor.

Parents and dancers should be encouraged to seek advice from an appropriately qualified medical professional rather than acting on informal recommendations from teachers, judges or other non-medical personnel.

The AAP cautions that coaches may not have adequate nutritional expertise to counsel young athletes about weight loss and that conversations about weight can increase the risk of harmful weight-control practices.

Last updated September 22, 2026