NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 324 ■ November 2018

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Use of Yoga, Meditation, and Chiropractors Among 

U.S. Children Aged 4–17 Years

Lindsey I. Black, M.P.H., Patricia M. Barnes, M.A., Tainya C. Clarke, Ph.D., M.P.H., 

Barbara J. Stussman, B.A., and Richard L. Nahin, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Key findings

Data from the National 

Health Interview Survey, 

2012 and 2017

● Among children aged 

4–17 years, the use of yoga 

and meditation during the past 

12 months increased from 

2012 to 2017.

● In 2017, girls were more 

likely to have used yoga during 

the past 12 months than boys.

● In 2017, older children 

(aged 12–17 years) were more 

likely to have used meditation 

and a chiropractor in the 

past 12 months than younger 

children (aged 4–11 years).

● Non-Hispanic white children 

were more likely to have 

used yoga and a chiropractor 

in the past 12 months than 

non-Hispanic black children or 

Hispanic children.

Yoga, meditation, and use of chiropractors are types of complementary 

health approaches developed outside of mainstream Western medicine (1–2). 

Although complementary health approaches as a whole are not widely used 

among children, previous work has established a rise in the use of selected 

approaches over time (3). This report presents the most recent national 

estimates of use of the three most prevalent approaches during the past 

12 months, among children aged 4–17 years in the United States. Comparable 

estimates from 2012 are also included to examine changes over time.

Were there changes in children’s use of yoga, meditation, or 

chiropractors from 2012 to 2017?

The percentage of children aged 4–17 years who used yoga in the past 

12 months increased significantly from 3.1% in 2012 to 8.4% in 2017 

(Figure 1). Meditation increased significantly from 0.6% in 2012 to 5.4% 

Figure 1. Age-adjusted percentage of children aged 4–17 years who used yoga, meditation, or a 

chiropractor during the past 12 months, by year: United States, 2012 and 2017

1

Signifcantly different from 2017 (p < 0.05).

NOTES: Estimates are age adjusted using the projected 2000 U.S. population as the standard population and two age groups: 

4–11 and 12–17 years. Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized 

population. Access data table for Figure 1 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db324_table-508.pdf#1.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2012 and 2017.

2012 2017

Percent

10

8

6

4

2

0

Yoga

1

3.1

8.4

Meditation

5.4

1

0.6

Chiropractor

3.5 3.4
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 324 ■ November 2018

■  2  ■

in 2017. Use of a chiropractor showed no statistically significant difference from 2012 to 2017 

(3.5% and 3.4%, respectively). 

Did the use of yoga, meditation, or chiropractors vary by sex?

Girls (11.3%) were significantly more likely to have used yoga in the past 12 months compared 

with boys (5.6%) (Figure 2). No significant differences were seen between boys and girls in the 

use of meditation or a chiropractor.

Figure 2. Age-adjusted percentage of children aged 4–17 years who used yoga, meditation, or a chiropractor during the 

past 12 months, by sex: United States, 2017

1

Signifcantly different from boys (p < 0.05).

NOTES: Estimates are age adjusted using the projected 2000 U.S. population as the standard population and two age groups: 4–11 and 12–17 years. Estimates 

are based on household interviews of a sample of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. Access data table for Figure 2 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db324_table-508.pdf#2.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2017. Percent

Girls Boys

Yoga Meditation Chiropractor

10

12

8

6

4

2

0

1

11.3

5.6

6.0

4.9

3.7

3.0
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 324 ■ November 2018

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Did the use of yoga, meditation, or chiropractors vary by age group?

The percentage of children aged 4–11 years (8.7%) that used yoga in the past 12 months was 

similar to that of children aged 12–17 years (8.0%) (Figure 3). Older children were more likely 

to have used meditation (6.5%) and a chiropractor (5.1%) than younger children (4.7% and 2.1%, 

respectively).

Figure 3. Percentage of children aged 4–17 years who used yoga, meditation, or a chiropractor during the past 12 

months, by age group: United States, 2017

1

Signifcantly different from children aged 12–17 years (p < 0.05).

NOTES: Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. 

Access data table for Figure 3 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db324_table-508.pdf#3.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2017. Percent

4–11 years 12–17 years

10

8

6

4

2

0

Yoga

8.7

8.0

Meditation

1

4.7

6.5

Chiropractor

1

2.1

5.1
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 324 ■ November 2018

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Did the use of yoga, meditation, or chiropractors vary by race and 

Hispanic origin?

Non-Hispanic white (10.5%) children were more likely than non-Hispanic black (4.6%) and 

Hispanic (5.9%) children to have used yoga in the past 12 months (Figure 4). No significant 

differences were seen in the use of meditation by race and Hispanic origin. Non-Hispanic white 

(5.1%) children were more likely to have used a chiropractor than non-Hispanic black (1.0%) and 

Hispanic (1.4%) children.

Figure 4. Age-adjusted percentage of children aged 4–17 years who used yoga, meditation, or a chiropractor during the 

past 12 months, by race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2017

1

Signifcantly different from non-Hispanic black children (p < 0.05). 2

Signifcantly different from Hispanic children (p < 0.05).

NOTES: Estimates are age adjusted using the projected 2000 U.S. population as the standard population and two age groups: 4–11 and 12–17 years. Estimates 

are based on household interviews of a sample of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. Access data table for Figure 4 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db324_table-508.pdf#4.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2017. Percent

Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black Hispanic

10

12

8

6

4

2

0

Yoga

1,210.5

4.6

5.9 5.9

Meditation

4.7 4.7

1,25.1

Chiropractor

1.0

1.4
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 324 ■ November 2018

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Summary

From 2012 to 2017 among children aged 4–17 years, significant increases were seen in children’s 

use of yoga and meditation during the past 12 months. However, there was no change in their use 

of a chiropractor in the past 12 months. 

In 2017, 8.4% of children (4.9 million) aged 4–17 years used yoga, 5.4% (3.1 million) used 

meditation, and 3.4% (2.0 million) used chiropractic services. The current analyses found 

demographic differences in the use of these three modalities. Girls were more likely to have used 

yoga in the past 12 months compared with boys. Children aged 12–17 years were more likely 

to have used meditation and a chiropractor than children aged 4–11 years. Non-Hispanic white 

children were more likely to have used yoga and a chiropractor than both non-Hispanic black 

children and Hispanic children. Differences in the use of selected approaches by sex, age, and 

race and Hispanic origin are consistent with patterns of use in previous years (3).

Definitions

Chiropractor: A person who performs hands-on therapy concerned with the diagnosis and 

treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, primarily the spine, and 

its function.

Meditation: A composite measure based on responses to three questions that determined the 

use of: 1) mantra meditation, including transcendental meditation, relaxation response, and 

clinically standardized meditation; 2) mindfulness meditation, including vipassana, Zen Buddhist 

meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy; and 3) 

spiritual meditation, including centering prayer and contemplative meditation. 

Race and Hispanic origin: Based on responses to two questions that determine Hispanic or Latino 

origin and race. Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin may be of any race. Non-Hispanic white and 

non-Hispanic black refer to children with a single race group indicated. Data for children with 

more than one race group indicated or of other race groups are not shown in this report. 

Yoga: A combination of breathing exercises, meditation, and physical postures, of Hindu origin, 

used to achieve a state of relaxation and balance of mind, body, and spirit.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 324 ■ November 2018

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Data source and methods

Data from the 2012 and 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used for this 

analysis. NHIS is a nationally representative survey of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized 

population. It is conducted continuously throughout the year by the National Center for Health 

Statistics (NCHS). NHIS is an in-person interview conducted in the respondent’s home. In some 

instances, follow-up to complete the interview is conducted via telephone. For further information 

about NHIS, including the questionnaire, visit the NHIS website: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/. 

Information on the use of complementary health approaches was collected from respondents 

for sample children aged 4–17 years as part of the Child Alternative Medicine (2012) or Child 

Complementary Health (2017) supplements of NHIS. For both survey years, respondents 

were asked about the use of selected complementary health approaches in the past 12 months, 

including whether they saw a complementary health provider or practitioner for this approach. 

However, in 2012, respondents were first asked if they ever used the approach, and those who 

responded “yes” were then asked about their more recent use. These preliminary questions were 

not asked in 2017. Respondents could answer yes to use of more than one complementary health 

approach. The percentage of children who saw a chiropractor in the past 12 months was obtained 

from the “Child Access to Health Care and Utilization (CAU)” section of the Sample Child file in 

both 2012 and 2017.

NHIS is designed to yield a nationally representative sample, and these analyses used weights to 

produce national estimates. The sample design is described in more detail elsewhere (4,5). Point 

estimates and the corresponding variances for this analysis were calculated using SUDAAN 

software (6) to account for the complex sample design of NHIS. Differences between percentages 

were evaluated using two-sided significance tests at the 0.05 level with no adjustments made for 

multiple comparisons. All estimates in this report meet NCHS standards of reliability as specified 

in “National Center for Health Statistics Data Presentation Standards for Proportions” (7).

About the authors

Lindsey I. Black and Tainya C. Clarke are with the National Center for Health Statistics, Division 

of Health Interview Statistics. Patricia M. Barnes is with the National Center for Health Statistics, 

Division of Research and Methodology. Barbara J. Stussman and Richard L. Nahin are with the 

National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 324 ■ November 2018

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References

1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Complementary, alternative, or 

integrative health: What’s in a name? NCCIH Publication No. D347. 2018. Available from: 

https://nccih.nih.gov/health/integrative-health.

2. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Exploring the science of 

complementary and alternative medicine. Third strategic plan: 2011–2015. Washington, DC: 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. NIH Publication 

No. 11–7643, D458. 2011.

3. Black LI, Clarke TC, Barnes PM, Stussman BJ, Nahin RL. Use of complementary health 

approaches among children aged 4–17 years in the United States: National Health Interview 

Survey, 2007–2012. National Health Statistics Reports; no 78. Hyattsville, MD: National Center 

for Health Statistics. 2015.

4. National Center for Health Statistics. Survey description, National Health Interview Survey, 

2012. Hyattsville, MD. 2013. 

5. National Center for Health Statistics. Survey description, National Health Interview Survey, 

2017. Hyattsville, MD. 2018. 

6. RTI International. SUDAAN (Release 11.0.0) [computer software]. 2012.

7. Parker JD, Talih M, Malec DJ, Beresovsky V, Carroll M, Gonzales, JF Jr, et. al. National 

Center for Health Statistics Data Presentation Standards for Proportions. National Center for 

Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(175). 2017.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 324 ■ November 2018

Suggested citation

Black LI, Barnes PM, Clarke TC, Stussman 

BJ, Nahin RL. Use of yoga, meditation, and 

chiropractors among U.S. children aged 

4–17 years. NCHS Data Brief, no 324. 

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health 

Statistics. 2018.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., M.B.A., Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate Director for 

Science

Division of Health Interview Statistics

Stephen J. Blumberg, Ph.D., Director

Robin A. Cohen, Ph.D., Acting Associate Director 

for Science

Division of Research and Methodology

Jennifer D. Parker, Ph.D., Director

Donald J. Malec, Ph.D., Associate Director for 

Science

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Keywords: complementary health approaches • National Health Interview 

Survey