12 weeks of yoga can reduce body-image dissatisfaction: Study
| Mar 20, 2019, 22:00 IST
A new study has found yoga can help reduce body-image dissatisfaction in just 12 weeks. The need to tackle the issues is important as previous studies have found women who are unhappy with the way they look can develop depression or eating disorders.
For the study, researchers from the University of Florida studied the impact yoga had on women between the ages of 18 and 30. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control class or yoga class. They had to attend classes twice a week for 12 weeks. In the yoga class, participants did active poses for beginners, meditated and practised breathing techniques for an hour. At the end of the study, women in the yoga class viewed their bodies more positively and spent less time focusing on their appearance.
“Current gold standard treatments for body-image dissatisfaction are not available on most college campuses because they require well-trained group leaders, as well as administrative and financial resources to organize session materials,” researchers of the study told a news portal. Adding, “In contrast, yoga is a widely available way for young women to get physical activity and improve body-image dissatisfaction without the barriers and stigma associated with traditional mental health treatment.”
For the study, researchers from the University of Florida studied the impact yoga had on women between the ages of 18 and 30. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control class or yoga class. They had to attend classes twice a week for 12 weeks. In the yoga class, participants did active poses for beginners, meditated and practised breathing techniques for an hour. At the end of the study, women in the yoga class viewed their bodies more positively and spent less time focusing on their appearance.
“Current gold standard treatments for body-image dissatisfaction are not available on most college campuses because they require well-trained group leaders, as well as administrative and financial resources to organize session materials,” researchers of the study told a news portal. Adding, “In contrast, yoga is a widely available way for young women to get physical activity and improve body-image dissatisfaction without the barriers and stigma associated with traditional mental health treatment.”