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

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Body Image; Eating Behaviors; Body Dissatisfaction

• Registration Number: NCT06724796
• Lead Sponsor: University of Padova

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-11
• Study First Submitted: 2024-11-16
• Study Start: 2024-11-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-12-04
• Study First Posted: 2024-12-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-24
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-25
• Primary Completion: 2025-07-31
• Study Completion: 2026-07-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 100

Inclusion Criteria

• Females
• Age 18-35 years old

Exclusion Criteria

• Regular yoga practice
• Pregnancy
• Medical conditions that preclude yoga practice (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases, recent injuries, rheumatic conditions)
• Full-blown body image disorder

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Negative Body Image	10 weeks	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.
Body Appreciation	10 weeks	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.
Functionality Appreciation	10 weeks	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.
Dysfunctional Eating Behaviours and Risk of Developing Eating Disorders	10 weeks	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
Functional Eating Behaviors	10 weeks	Assessed with the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2; Tylka \& Kroon Van Diest, 2013, Swami et al., 2021), a self-report questionnaire assessing the ability to eat intuitively.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Embodiment	10 weeks	Assessed with the Experience of Embodiment Scale (EES; Piran, Teall, \& Counsell, 2020), a self-report questionnaire investigating embodiment.
Interoceptive Awareness	10 weeks	Assessed with the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA; Mehling et al., 2012; Calì et al., 2015), a self-report questionnaire investigating interoceptive awareness
Self-compassion	10 weeks	Assessed with the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS, Neff, 2003; Veneziani et al. 2017), a self-report questionnaire investigating self-compassion

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of General Psychology, University of Padova; 🇮🇹 Padova, Italy