The Effects of Yoga on Body Image in College Women

Obesity Clinical Trial

Official title:

Can Yoga Reduce Body Image Concerns in Females, Thereby Reducing Risk of Obesity and Eating Disorders?

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03262350
• Other study ID #: REF AWARD# 0001271422
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 6, 2017
• Est. completion date: June 1, 2019

Study information

• Verified date: April 2021
• Source: University of Delaware
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

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

Description:

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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 53
• Est. completion date: June 1, 2019
• Est. primary completion date: August 30, 2017
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Female
• Age group: 18 Years to 26 Years

Eligibility

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)

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Body Image
• Eating Disorder
• Feeding and Eating Disorders
• Obesity
• Yoga

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Yoga
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.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	University of Delaware	Newark	Delaware

Sponsors (4)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Delaware	Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, The Emily Program, University of Minnesota

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Body Image	assessed using Body Image Quality of Life Inventory	10 weeks
Primary	body image	assessed using Mind Body Self Relations Questionnaire	10 weeks
Secondary	change in Body Mass Index	weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m^2	10 weeks
Secondary	disordered eating attitudes/behaviors	assessed using the Eating Attitudes Test-26	10 weeks
Secondary	disordered eating attitudes/behaviors	assessed using the Binge Eating Scale	10 weeks