The prevalence and characteristics of yoga or meditation users in Iceland: Results of a national health survey

• Published in: Complementary therapies in clinical practice 2021-11, Vol.45, p.101487-101487, Article 101487
• Main Authors: Orlygsdottir, Brynja, Gunnarsdottir, Thora Jenny, Thoroddsen, Asta, Vilhjalmsson, Runar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alternative medicine; Attitudes; Belonging; Chronic illnesses; Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); Denominations; Health promotion; Health status; Health surveys; Medical conditions; Meditation; Mental health; National survey; Nursing; Physicians; Public interest; Religiosity; Response rates; Self care; Sociodemographics; Women; Yoga
• ISSN: 1744-3881; 1873-6947
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101487

Use of yoga or meditation has increased decisively in recent years. Factors associated with the use of yoga and meditation are not well understood. The aim was to focus on the relationship of yoga and meditation to sociodemographic background, religiosity, healthcare-related attitudes, mental and physical health, and physician visits. This study builds on data from a national health survey of a random sample of Icelandic adults, aged 18–75 (n = 1599; response rate of 58%). The overall use of yoga or meditation reached 19.3% in 2015. This is an increase of 12.5% points over a nine-year period. The increase was much greater for women. Yoga or meditation use was positively related to the female gender, younger age, higher levels of education, and not belonging to a religious denomination. It was also positively related to higher anxiety, previous visits to a physician, and a positive attitude toward CAM services, but it was negatively related to having chronic medical conditions. Increased use of yoga or meditation may reflect public interest in Icelander's self-care and health promotion. Further studies are needed to better understand the predictors and effects of yoga and meditation. •Use of yoga and meditation has increased decisively in recent years in Iceland.•Yoga or meditation is negatively related to having chronic medical conditions.•The typical yoga participant uses yoga or meditation as complementary to physician care and as health promotion.•Ongoing life strains and perceived stress are related to higher rates of yoga or meditation use.