Yoga practice among ethnically/racially diverse emerging adults: Associations with body image, mindful and disordered eating, and muscle‐enhancing behaviors

Abstract

Background This study explores cross‐sectional associations between yoga and body image, mindful eating, disordered eating, and muscle‐enhancing behaviors among a population‐based sample of ethnically/racially diverse emerging adults. Method An ethnically/racially diverse population‐based sample of 1,568 emerging adults (18–26 years) completed surveys as part of EAT 2010–2018 (Eating and Activity over Time). Models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index (BMI). Results Practicing yoga at least 30 min/week was reported by 12.7% (n = 210) of the sample. Yoga practitioners had higher levels of mindful eating than those not practicing yoga. Although effect sizes were small, yoga practitioners were more likely than non‐yoga practitioners to use steroids (3.8 vs. 0.7%, p < .001, h = 0.22) or protein powder/shakes (35.1 vs. 25.3%, p < .010, h = 0.21) to increase their muscle size/tone. Body satisfaction, unhealthy weight control behaviors, and binge eating tended to be similar among yoga practitioners and non‐yoga practitioners. There was a significant interaction between BMI and yoga in predicting body satisfaction with a trend toward a positive impact among yoga practitioners at higher BMI values. Interactions between yoga practice and all body image attitudes and behaviors across gender and ethnicity/race were not statistically significant. Discussion Young people from diverse ethnic/racial backgrounds who practice yoga are more likely to engage in mindful eating but have equal or elevated levels of unhealthy body image attitudes and behaviors as compared to non‐yoga practitioners. Further research should explore how yoga is best taught and practiced to ensure that it is beneficial for body image and related behaviors.

Disordered eating in a population‐based sample of young adults during the COVID‐19 outbreak

“…The EAT 2010–2018 study is a population‐based investigation of weight‐related health behaviors and associated factors among young people who were attending secondary school in Minneapolis‐St. Paul, Minnesota in 2009–2010 (Neumark‐Sztainer et al, 2020a; Neumark‐Sztainer et al, 2020b). The C‐EAT survey was designed to capture correlates of eating, activity, and weight‐related health behaviors during the COVID‐19 outbreak and to identify areas in need of immediate attention to avoid adverse health consequences.…”

Recreational Screen Time Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S.: A Mixed-Methods Study among a Diverse Population-Based Sample of Emerging Adults

“…The C-EAT (COVID-19 Eating and Activity over Time) study invited participants in the EAT 2010–2018 longitudinal cohort to complete an online survey in 2020 during the U.S. outbreak of COVID-19. Participants in EAT 2010–2018 included a population-based sample of young people who attended middle school or high school in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota in 2009–2010, and were followed over time [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. The C-EAT survey was designed to capture changes in eating and activity behaviors and markers of psychosocial well-being during COVID-19 [ 21 , 22 ].…”

Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic for the Well-Being of Emerging Adult Populations: A Synthesis of Findings From the COVID-19 Eating and Activity Over Time (C-EAT) Study

“…The University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board Human Subjects Committee approved all protocols for the EAT 2010–2018 and C-EAT studies. Participants in the EAT 2010-2018 study were enrolled during the 2009-2010 academic year when they were adolescents (mean age = 14.4 ± 2.0 years, total baseline sample n = 2,793) and completed a follow-up EAT 2018 survey as emerging adults in 2017–2018 (mean age = 22.0 ± 2.0 years; total follow-up sample n = 1,568) (Hazzard et al, 2021; Neumark-Sztainer et al, 2021). Details of the EAT 2010-2018 study design and the participants who completed both waves are available on the study website (https://www.sph.umn.edu/research/projects/project-eat/).…”