Yoga Among Adults Age 18 and Older: United States, 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: This report describes the percentage of adults age 18 and older who practiced yoga, and among those, the percentage who practiced yoga to restore overall health, practice meditation, or treat and manage pain, by selected sociodemographic characteristics using data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.

Methods: Data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey were used for this analysis. Point estimates and corresponding variances were calculated using SAS-callable SUDAAN software version 11.0 to account for the survey’s complex sample design. Differences between percentages were evaluated using two-sided significance tests at the 0.05 level. Linear and quadratic trends by age group and family income were evaluated using orthogonal polynomials in logistic regression. Estimates were age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. census population using the direct method for age groups 18–44, 45–64, and 65 and older.

Key findings: In 2022, the age-adjusted percentage of adults age 18 and older who practiced yoga in the past 12 months was 16.9%, and percentages were highest among women, adults ages 18–44, Asian non-Hispanic (subsequently, Asian) adults, and those with family incomes at 400% of the federal poverty level or more. The percentage of adults who practiced meditation as part of yoga was lower among men (52.9%), adults age 45 and older, Asian (56.7%) and White non-Hispanic (54.0%) adults, and those with family incomes at 200% of the federal poverty level or more. The percentage of adults who practiced yoga to treat or manage pain decreased with increasing family income.