Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Volume 17, Issue 4 , Pages 196-202, August 2009

Yoga as a treatment for binge eating disorder: A preliminary study

  • Shane McIver

      Affiliations

    • School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +61 3 9251 7263; fax: +61 3 9244 6261.
    • ,
  • Paul O’Halloran

      Affiliations

    • School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Australia
    • Tel.: +61 3 9479 1750.
    • ,
  • Michael McGartland

      Affiliations

    • Alfred Psychiatry, The Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria 3181, Australia
    • Tel.: +61 3 9076 2000.

Summary 

Objective

To examine the efficacy of a 12-week yoga program aimed at reducing binge eating severity.

Design

A randomised trial was undertaken assigning participants to yoga (n=45) or wait-list control (n=45) groups. Of these, 25 in each group were analysed.

Participants

A community-based sample of women between 25 and 63 years of age who identified with diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder (BED) and a BMI>25 were recruited for the study.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcomes included the Binge Eating Scale (BES) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Secondary outcomes comprised measures for BMI, hips and waist.

Results

For the yoga group, self-reported reductions in binge eating and increases in physical activity were statistically significant. Small yet statistically significant reductions for BMI, hips and waist measurement were obtained. The wait-list control group did not improve significantly on any measures.

Conclusion

In conjunction with formal weekly sessions, home-based yoga programs are potentially efficacious for the treatment of binge eating.

Keywords: Binge eating, Eating disorders, Yoga, Obesity

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PII: S0965-2299(09)00035-1

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2009.05.002

Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Volume 17, Issue 4 , Pages 196-202, August 2009

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