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NCT Number: NCT06724796

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Body Dissatisfaction Behavior Behavior, Animal Body Image Eating Behaviors Feeding Behavior

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of General Psychology, University of Padova

Padova, Italy

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Silvia Cerea, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

++39 049 827 6683

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Y4BI

Other

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

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Negative Body Image

    Time frame: 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.

  2. Body Appreciation

    Time frame: 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.

  3. Functionality Appreciation

    Time frame: 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.

  4. Dysfunctional Eating Behaviours and Risk of Developing Eating Disorders

    Time frame: 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

  5. Functional Eating Behaviors

    Time frame: 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 outcomes

  1. Embodiment

    Time frame: 10 weeks

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

  2. Interoceptive Awareness

    Time frame: 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

  3. Self-compassion

    Time frame: 10 weeks

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

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Silvia Cerea, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

++39 049 827 6683

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Padova

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Acronym: Y4BI

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Dec 9, 2024
Registry last updated
Mar 25, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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