Yoga Takes A Bite Out Of Eating Disorders

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Yoga Takes A Bite Out Of Eating Disorders

A study published in the latest issue of Psychology of Women

Quarterly reports that mind-body exercise, such as yoga, is

associated with greater body satisfaction and fewer symptoms of

eating disorders than traditional aerobic exercise like jogging or

using cardio machines.

Yoga practitioners reported less self-objectification, greater

satisfaction with physical appearance, and fewer disordered eating

attitudes compared to non-yoga practitioners. In yoga class, a woman

develops sensitivity to bodily sensations and practices listening to

her body's feedback.

" This heightened sensitivity and responsiveness to bodily sensations

is associated with less preoccupation of physical appearance, more

positive views of the body, and more healthy regulation of food

intake, " author Daubenmier states. The greater the number

of hours a woman practiced yoga in a week was associated with even

less self-objectification and greater satisfaction with her body,

while the more hours a woman spent performing aerobic activity was

linked with greater disordered eating.

The article discusses two studies. Study 1 consisted of three types

of women: those currently taking yoga classes, those partaking in

aerobic classes, and those who had not participated in either for

the past two years. Participants were asked to complete a survey

on " women and exercise " that they completed at home and mailed back.

Study one consisted of women who, on average, were thirty-seven

years old. Study two consisted of undergraduates, a population known

to be at greater risk for self-objectification and eating disorders.

The results were consistent in both studies. " Through yoga, this

study suggests that women may have intuitively discovered a way to

buffer themselves against messages that tell them that only a thin

and 'beautiful' body will lead to happiness and success, " the author

explains.

This study is published in the current issue of Psychology of Women

Quarterly.

Psychology of Women Quarterly publishes primarily qualitative and

quantitative research with substantive and theoretical merit, along

with critical reviews, theoretical articles, and invited book

reviews related to the psychology of women and gender. It is

published on behalf of the Society for the Psychology of Women,

Division 35 of the American Psychological Association.

Daubenmier is postdoctoral scholar at the Preventive

Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California. She is the

2005 recipient of the Practice Relevant Abstract from the American

Psychosomatic Society.