A Different Weight Loss Experience: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Behavioral, Physical, and Psychosocial Changes Associated with Yoga That Promote Weight Loss
Table 1
Participant characteristics ().
Characteristic
Frequency (%)
Current age, mean (SD) range
56.6 (9.4)
35–67
Gender
Female
15 (75)
Race/ethnicity
White/non-Hispanic
19 (95)
Marital status
Married/partnered
15 (75)
Single/divorced
4 (20)
Widowed
1 (5)
Education
High school/some college
2 (10)
College degree (undergraduate)
4 (20)
Graduate degree (M.A., J.D., M.D., or Ph.D.)
14 (70)
Work status
Full time
12 (60)
Part time
3 (15)
Retired/not employed
5 (25)
Years of yoga practice, mean (SD) range
15.3 (13.6)
1–45
Style of yoga practiced
Iyengar
15 (75)
Iyengar + other
2 (10)
Other
3 (15)
Weight loss in pounds, mean (SD) range
26.3 (20.2)
4–70
Current BMI, mean (SD) range
27.4 (5.7)
17.1–41.8
BMI category
Before yoga
After yoga
Underweight (<18.5)
1 ()
1 ()
Normal (18.5–24.99)
8 ()
15 ()
Overweight (25–29.9)
5 ()
4 ()
Obese (≥30)
6 ()
1 ()
Other styles included Ashtanga, Bikram, and Yin yoga. Weight loss was reported retrospectively and is therefore approximate.
