Weighing in at 110 lbs, Volochkova was considered too heavy to lift; therefore the company did not want her as a principal dancer anymore. This incident is a perfect example of why so many dancers have negative attitudes toward their bodies. They feel the necessity to engage in strict dieting, no matter what their weight, and this eventually turns into an eating disorder. Dancers become so obsessed about their weight and food intake that they do not realize that this unhealthy pattern of eating behavior can lead to many health problems. .
Bulimia is marked by significant cycles in eating habits. Bulimics will often starve themselves, sometimes with the help of diet pills or supplements, for extended periods of time prior to a massive binge. During a binge, they consume abnormal amounts of food in a short period of time. These binges are followed by purging, which generally is constituted by self-induced vomiting. Bulimics are generally within what is considered to be a "normal" weight range, but see themselves as being overweight, or suffer from an intense fear of gaining weight. Often they realize that they have a problem, but by that point the cycle has become an obsession. Bulimics usually weigh themselves frequently, even several times daily. They also suffer from an emotional cycle, which becomes am emotional outlet, of guilt, pain, depression, and "highs." They feel pride when they succeed in starving themselves; guilt, pain, and depression when they eat; and the "high" usually follows a purge. Food becomes a night-and-day obsession, causing them to withdraw from their families, as well as school and social lives. Bulimics will often refuse to eat in front of other people, and will find any sort of excuse to avoid meals in groups. They may sneak food for binging when no one else is around and may sometimes run to the bathroom following any form of food intake. Bulimics are often perfectionists, those who feel they have severe standards to live up to.