New Research Finds Yoga Improves Eating Disorder Symptoms

A study published in the International Journal of Yoga has found that yoga is a promising way to reduce eating disorder symptoms, yielding benefits even months afterwards. The small randomized control trial examined the impact of an 11-week yoga program for women with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa or eating disorder not other specified.

The yoga group participated in twice weekly 90-minute group Hatha yoga classes and encouraged to practice yoga at home over the next 11 weeks. Yoga classes focused on awareness of the body, yoga postures, breathing exercises, and concentration meditation, and deep relaxation at the end. Teaching also included yoga philosophy, highlighting the non-competitive and non-judgmental nature of yoga. The control group were given 90-minute classes twice weekly on nutrition and education about eating disorders.

The participants were interviewed by a psychologist and completed self-report questionnaires after the 11-week program and then six months later. The interviews covered four areas, including eating disorder symptoms of restricting food, concerns about eating, weight, and shape.

Researchers found that yoga had lasting benefits in the areas of food restriction and eating concerns, but less so in the area of shape and weight concerns. These results were slightly different other eating disorder yoga studies, such as a 2010 study that found a more global reduction in symptoms. This difference could be because the 2010 study provided yoga individually, rather than a group setting, which could alter one's experience of yoga, particularly for those dealing with concerns about body appearance and image. Another difference could be the different style of yoga used in 2010, Viniyoga.

Research studies continue to demonstrate that yoga is a promising form of complementary therapy for eating disorders. Given the wide range of yoga techniques, researchers can expand our understanding by specifying the types of yoga postures, breathing exercises, and meditations as well as the potential differences between yoga in individualized versus group settings.

Find out more about yoga and its health benefits in my book, The Harvard Medical School Guide to Yoga.