The Effects of Yoga on Body Image in College Women

University of Delaware53 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of a regular yoga practice on body image in college women.

A randomized controlled design will be used to study the effects of a regular yoga practice on body image in young adult women. Fifty female freshman, sophomores, and juniors between the ages of 18 and 26 years will be recruited from the University of Delaware student population, specifically targeting those new to yoga. Age, academic standing, availability and prior yoga experience will be evaluated. Consented individuals will be randomized to one of two conditions: (1) yoga (offered 3 times per week) for 10 weeks; or (2) a control group. Baseline assessments, midpoint assessments, and end-of-study assessments will be conducted on all participants. Participants will be compensated for their attendance at assessment visits.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Body Image Eating Disorder Obesity Yoga

Interventions

YogaBEHAVIORAL

The yoga classes will be adapted to all levels of experience, mobility, and body size. Specific breathing techniques and body positive language will be incorporated into a body-positive yoga training done by Ms. Lisa Diers, RDN, E-RYT, YACEP. Less focus will be placed on precision of the poses, instead focus will be on body feelings, except where physically dangerous. Thus, the overall focus will be on listening to one's own body. List of messages will be carefully designed to be related to eating and weight, but to not be directly discussed. Ms. Diers will travel to Delaware to lead the intervention training for yoga instructors prior to the study taking place.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 26 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Freshman, sophomore, or junior at the University of Delaware * Available Spring 2017 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1:25-2:15pm * Physically able to participate in yoga Exclusion Criteria: * Females who are seniors at the University of Delaware (This is because participants in the control condition will be given a pass to participate in group fitness at the end of the study, and would not be able to use this incentive if they are seniors)

Locations (1)

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Body Image

assessed using Body Image Quality of Life Inventory

Time frame: 10 weeks

body image

assessed using Mind Body Self Relations Questionnaire

Time frame: 10 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

change in Body Mass Index

weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2

Time frame: 10 weeks

disordered eating attitudes/behaviors

assessed using the Eating Attitudes Test-26

Time frame: 10 weeks

disordered eating attitudes/behaviors

assessed using the Binge Eating Scale

Time frame: 10 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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