Yoga and Pilates: associations with body image and disordered-eating behaviors in a population-based sample of young adults.
OBJECTIVE
To examine associations between participating in mind-body activities (yoga/Pilates) and body dissatisfaction and disordered eating (unhealthy and extreme weight control practices and binge eating) in a population-based sample of young adults.


METHODS
The sample included 1,030 young men and 1,257 young women (mean age: 25.3 years, SD = 1.7) who participated in Project EAT-III (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults).


RESULTS
Among women, disordered eating was prevalent in yoga/Pilates participants and nonparticipants, with no differences between the groups. Men participating in yoga/Pilates were more likely to use extreme weight control behaviors (18.6% vs. 6.8%, p = .006) and binge eating (11.6% vs. 4.2%, p = .023), and marginally more likely to use unhealthy weight control behaviors (49.1% vs. 34.5%; p = .053), than nonparticipants after adjusting for sociodemographics, weight status, and overall physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest the importance of helping yoga/Pilates instructors recognize that their students may be at risk for disordered eating.
Neumark-Sztainer
Dianne
D
Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minnesota, USA. neumark@epi.umn.edu
Eisenberg
Marla E
ME
Wall
Melanie
M
Loth
Katie A
KA
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D015013:Yoga / Q000523:psychology*