Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

Yoga 4 Body Image (Y4BI): Investigating the Impact of Yoga on Body Image and Eating Behaviours

ConditionsBody DissatisfactionBody ImageEating Behaviors
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexFemale
Age18-35
SponsorUniversity of Padova

About this trial

The practice of yoga can positively impact body image, a psychological construct encompassing perceptual, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects, which can be either positive or negative. Negative body image manifests as extreme dissatisfaction with one's body-a condition particularly common among young women-that places them at significant risk for developing Body Image Disorders (BIDs). In contrast, positive body image is characterized by an overall respect for one's body.

Current research on the impact of yoga on body image has several limitations, making it challenging to determine whether yoga practice truly has a positive effect on body image and to identify the mechanisms underlying this impact. To address these gaps, the present project aims to overcome the limitations of existing studies by investigating the impact of yoga on body image through quantitative methodologies and by exploring the mechanisms that drive this effect.

The project consists of two phases:

1. Investigating the impact of yoga on body image (both positive and negative) and eating behaviours in a population characterized by high levels of body dissatisfaction-young women. 2. Examining the psychological mechanisms underlying yoga's impact on body image, including increased interoceptive awareness, embodiment, and self-compassion, as well as a reduction in self-objectification.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Females

Age 18-35 years old

Disqualifiers

Regular yoga practice

Pregnancy

Medical conditions that preclude yoga practice (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases, recent injuries, rheumatic conditions)

Full-blown body image disorder

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Y4BI

    Other intervention

    The yoga classes will follow the Iyengar method, one of the most widely practiced traditional yoga styles, aimed at promoting body alignment and precision in executing poses (asanas) through the use of props such as blankets, straps, cushions, chairs, and blocks, making the poses accessible to all individuals. The classes will be conducted once a week, in groups, with each session lasting 1 hour. They will be led by a qualified instructor with over 10 years of teaching experience in yoga. The classes will be adapted for beginners who do not practice yoga regularly.

  • ACTIVE

    Other intervention

    The total body classes will take place once a week, with each session lasting one hour. They will be led by a kinesiology specialist in preventive and adapted physical activities.

Treatment groups

100 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Y4BIExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: ACTIVEActive comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Negative Body Image

Assessed with the Questionario sul Dismorfmismo Corporo (QDC; Cerea et al., 2017), a self-report questionnaire assessing negative body image made up of 40 items.

Time frame
10 weeks
2

Body Appreciation

Assessed with the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2; Tylka \& Wood-Barcalow, 2015b, Casale et al., 2021), a self-report questionnaire assessing body appreciation made up of 10 items.

Time frame
10 weeks
3

Functionality Appreciation

Assessed with the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS; Alleva, Tylka \& Van Diest, 2017, Cerea et al., 2021), a self-report questionnaire assessing functionality appreciation made up of 7 items.

Time frame
10 weeks
4

Dysfunctional Eating Behaviours and Risk of Developing Eating Disorders

Assessed with the Eating Disorder Risk Composite Score of the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3; Garner, 2004; Giannini, Pannocchia, Dalla Grave, Muratori \& Viglione, 2008), a self-report questionnaire assessing the risk of developing eating disorders

Time frame
10 weeks

Secondary outcomes

1

Embodiment

Assessed with the Experience of Embodiment Scale (EES; Piran, Teall, \& Counsell, 2020), a self-report questionnaire investigating embodiment.

Time frame
10 weeks
2

Interoceptive Awareness

Assessed with the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA; Mehling et al., 2012; Calì et al., 2015), a self-report questionnaire investigating interoceptive awareness

Time frame
10 weeks
3

Self-compassion

Assessed with the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS, Neff, 2003; Veneziani et al. 2017), a self-report questionnaire investigating self-compassion

Time frame
10 weeks

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

University of Padova

Lead sponsor

Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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