An innovative approach in health sciences: Yoga for obesity

Abstract

Obesity is a global health burden and its prevalence is increasing substantially due to changing lifestyle. A yoga-based lifestyle intervention appears to be a promising option in obesity. The present study is designed to assess the effects of Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy (IAYT) in patients with obesity. Twenty-four obese patients (8 males and 16 females) between18 to 60 years were assessed on the first and last day of a 7 days′ residential intensive IAYT program. The body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumferences (HC), and mid-arm circumference (MC) were recorded before and after the IAYT program. Paired Samples t test (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SPSS-16) was used to compare the means before (pre) and after (post) the intervention. The statistical analysis showed that there was a significant (P < 0.01, all comparisons) decrease (Ϳ) in mean body weight from 86.52 ± 15.23 to 84.54 ± 14.95 (2.29% Ϳ), mean BMI from 32.04 ± 5.02 to 31.30 ± 4.88 (2.33% Ϳ), WC by 3.46% Ϳ, HC by 4.65% Ϳ, and MC by 4.74% Ϳ. The results suggest that IAYT program was beneficial for patients with obesity and may offer better option to obesity-related problems. Randomized control trials are needed before a strong recommendation can be made.

Keywords

• Body mass index
• circumference
• integrated approach of yoga therapy
• obesity