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Objective: To examine associations between participating in mind-body activities (yoga/Pilates) and body dissatisfaction and disordered eating (unhealthy and extreme weight control practices and binge eating) in a population-based sample of young adults. Method: The sample included 1,030 young men and 1,257 young women (mean age: 25.3 years, SD 5 1.7) who participated in Project EAT-III (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults). Results: Among women, disordered eating was prevalent in yoga/Pilates participants and nonparticipants, with no differences between the groups. Men participating in yoga/Pilates were more likely to use extreme weight control behaviors (18.6% vs. 6.8%, p 5 .006) and binge eating (11.6% vs. 4.2%, p 5 .023), and marginally more likely to use unhealthy weight control behaviors (49.1% vs. 34.5%; p 5 .053), than nonparticipants after adjusting for sociodemographics, weight status, and overall physical activity. Discussion: Findings suggest the importance of helping yoga/Pilates instructors recognize that their students may be at risk for disordered eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study explores cross‐sectional associations between yoga and body image, mindful eating, disordered eating, and muscle‐enhancing behaviors among a population‐based sample of ethnically/racially diverse emerging adults. Method: An ethnically/racially diverse population‐based sample of 1,568 emerging adults (18–26 years) completed surveys as part of EAT 2010–2018 (Eating and Activity over Time). Models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index (BMI). Results: Practicing yoga at least 30 min/week was reported by 12.7% (n = 210) of the sample. Yoga practitioners had higher levels of mindful eating than those not practicing yoga. Although effect sizes were small, yoga practitioners were more likely than non‐yoga practitioners to use steroids (3.8 vs. 0.7%, p <.001, h = 0.22) or protein powder/shakes (35.1 vs. 25.3%, p <.010, h = 0.21) to increase their muscle size/tone. Body satisfaction, unhealthy weight control behaviors, and binge eating tended to be similar among yoga practitioners and non‐yoga practitioners. There was a significant interaction between BMI and yoga in predicting body satisfaction with a trend toward a positive impact among yoga practitioners at higher BMI values. Interactions between yoga practice and all body image attitudes and behaviors across gender and ethnicity/race were not statistically significant. Discussion: Young people from diverse ethnic/racial backgrounds who practice yoga are more likely to engage in mindful eating but have equal or elevated levels of unhealthy body image attitudes and behaviors as compared to non‐yoga practitioners. Further research should explore how yoga is best taught and practiced to ensure that it is beneficial for body image and related behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]