Abstract
Background: Yoga may be beneficial for young people at risk for body dissatisfaction and unhealthy behaviors aimed at changing one’s body shape and size. This study explores associations between yoga practice and body image, mindful eating, disordered eating, and muscle-enhancing behaviors among a population-based sample of emerging adults from diverse socio-economic and ethnic/racial backgrounds.Methods: Survey data were collected from 1,568 ethnically/racially diverse emerging adults (18-26 years) as part of the EAT 2010-2018 study (Eating and Activity over Time). Results: Practicing yoga at least 30 minutes/week was reported by 12.7% (n=210) of the sample. In models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, yoga practitioners had higher levels of mindful eating and body satisfaction than non-practitioners. Of concern, yoga practitioners were more likely to use steroids to enhance the size or tone of their muscles than those not practicing yoga (4.2% vs. 0.8%, p<.001). Furthermore, 35.4% of yoga practitioners used protein powder or shakes in the past year as compared to 25.0% of those not practicing yoga (p=.005). Yoga practitioners had similar levels of unhealthy weight control behaviors and binge eating to those not practicing yoga. Associations between yoga practice and body satisfaction, mindful eating, disordered eating, and muscle-enhancing behaviors were similar across ethnic/racial groups.Conclusions: In order to promote yoga among diverse populations, and enhance its safety and benefits for weight-related health, it is crucial for settings in which yoga is offered, and yoga teachers, to have awareness of the high prevalence of concerning disordered eating and muscle-enhancing behaviors among students and to address accordingly.
Yoga practice among ethnically/racially diverse emerging adults: Associations with body image, mindful and disordered eating, and muscle‐enhancing behaviors