YOGA INFLUENCE ON OBESITY

Abstract

Obesity is one of the most common medical problems in the world and a risk factor for illnesses
such as hypertension, diabetes, degenerative arthritis and myocardial infarction. It is the cause of
significant morbidity and mortality and generates great social and financial costs. There were 68
subjects with obesity or overweight in the age range of 18 to 70 years who choose to be admitted
for residential integrated approach of yoga therapy program of two weeks duration. 14 days of
residential intensive integrated approach of yoga therapy reduced body weight by 0.1 to 7.4 kg;
body mass index by 0.04 to 3.04 kg/m2 with significant reduction in mid arm circumference, waist
circumference, hip circumference, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate with a
significant increase of slow vital capacity of lungs.
Keywords: Obesity, Weight, Body mass index, Mid arm circumference, Waist circumference, Hip
circumference, Diastolic blood pressure, Pulse rate, Respiratory rate and Bhramari time.

Full text

Researchersworld
International Refereed Research Journal ■www.researchersworld.com Vol.– VIII, Issue ■–2(3), April
2017[33]
YOGA INFLUENCE ON OBESITY
Itagi Ravi Kumar,
Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana
Samsthana, Kempegowdanagar,
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
ABSTRACT
Obesity is one of the most common medical problems in the world and a risk factor for illnesses
such as hypertension, diabetes, degenerative arthritis and myocardial infarction. It is the cause of
significant morbidity and mortality and generates great social and financial costs. There were 68 subjects
with obesity or overweight in the age range of 18 to 70 years who choose to be admitted for residential
integrated approach of yoga therapy program of two weeks duration. 14 days of residential intensive
integrated approach of yoga therapy reduced body weight by 0.1 to 7.4 kg; body mass index by 0.04 to
3.04 kg/m2 with significant reduction in mid arm circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference,
diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate with a significant increase of slow vital capacity
of lungs.
Keywords: Obesity, Weight, Body mass index, Mid arm circumference, Waist circumference, Hip
circumference, Diastolic blood pressure, Pulse rate, Respiratory rate and Bhramari time.
INTRODUCTION:

Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies such as reiki (Zeynep, 2016),
support groups, therapeutic massage (Jurairat, 2016), acupuncture, meditation, yoga (Shruti,
2016; Zorica, 2016; Shruti 2016 (2)), art therapy and music therapy is to reduce stress, prevent or
minimize side effects and symptoms, and support health and healing. WHO had recognized
obesity as a disease that has assumed epidemic proportions, posing one of the greatest threats to
human health and well-being in the 21st century. The rapid rise in obesity is affecting more
children than ever before. Despite the wealth of evidence about the associated risk of developing
diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, some types of cancer, gall bladder problems, osteoarthritis
and psychosocial disturbances, the prevalence and incidence of overweight conditions and
obesity continue to increase worldwide (WHO, 2004). Studies suggest that 25% to 70% of
obesity can be explained by genetics (Cardon, 1995); in another studies of twins suggest that
inheritance explains 25% to 40% of inter-individual differences in obesity (Stunkard, 1986). In
most cases of obesity, genes involved in weight gain do not directly cause obesity but rather they
increase the susceptibility to fat gain in subjects exposed to an environment characterized by an
abundance of food and limited physical activity (Hill, 1998; Hill (1999). Stress had been shown
to be a major factor in weight gain and obesity. Stress causes people to opt for unhealthy high-fat
and high-sugar snacks in preference to healthier food choices. Yoga with its holistic approach
that has many practices at physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level has been found to be
effective in management of many obesity related disorders and yoga practices were associated
with attenuated weight gain, most strongly among individuals who were overweight (Kristal,
2005). Studies on effect of breathing practices on physiological and psychological factors
indicated that right nostril breathing increased generalized sympathetic tones, increased
temperature and metabolic rate while left nostril breathing had reverse effects (Telles, 1994;
Telles, 1996). Factors contributing to the cause of obesity are high energy intakes, decreased
physical activity, cultural factors, changing diet and lifestyle, the increasing use of motorized
vehicles and machines for all types of human activities, the importation of fatty foods, increased
urbanization and the abandonment of traditional farming, fishing and hunting practices. A study
indicated that short lifestyle modification program based on yoga and stress management
education program leads to favorable metabolic effects (Ramesh, 2005). This study is of paired
pre post randomly selected subjects without control group.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Subjects who were admitted for management of obesity through integrated approach of yoga
therapy (IAYT) in the residential yoga therapy health home were included for the study. All 120
subjects who were registered for IAYT were screened. Among them 70 satisfied selection criteria
were included in the study and 68 completed the program. Two participants were dropped out of
the study. Inclusion criteria are: participants who were admitted for integrated approach of yoga
therapy program for obesity at the residential health home, both genders, age between 18 to 70
years and body mass index (BMI) above 25 kg/m2. Exclusion criteria are: participants who
registered for less than 14 days and those with associated medical problems such as cardiac,
uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis were excluded. All subjects were recruited for
the study only after they gave consent to participate in the study. The demography data of the
subjects are giving in the Table 1. The subjects were trained in supervised integrated approach of
yoga therapy module on all the 14 days from 5 am to 9-30 pm at the residential yoga therapy

health home in the institute campus. Their daily schedule of practices is given in the Table 2.
Integrated approach of yoga therapy comprised of various practices, which have been described
in ancient texts to act at five levels of existence, annamayakosha, pranamayakosha,
manomayakosha, vijnanamayakosha and anandamayakosha levels. List of intervention yoga
practices given at 5.30-6.30 am and 12-1 pm is given in the Table 3. Anthropometric variables
consisting of weight (kg), body mass index (kg/m2), mid arm circumference (cm), waist
circumference (cm) and hip circumference (cm) were recorded before and after the IAYT
intervention. Clinical variables blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate and bhramari time in
seconds were recorded before and after the IAYT intervention.
Table 1 - Demography data
Variables Male Female
Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage
Gender 25 56% 43 45%
BMI BMI1 (25 to 29.9 kg/m2) 7 10% 15 22%
BMI2 (>= 30 kg/m2) 18 26% 28 42%
AGE Age1 – 18 to 30 8 12% 19 28%
Age2 – 31 to 64 17 25% 24 35%
Table 2 - Daily schedule of practices
S. No. Time Session
1 5.00-5.30 am OM meditation
2 5.30-6.30 am Yoga-based special techniques
3 6.30-7.30 am Bath & wash
4 7.30-8.15 am Maitri milan - fraternity meet
5 8.15-8.45 am Breakfast
6 8.45-10.00 am Karma yoga (experiencing yogic way of working)
7 10.00-11.00 am Lecture (on yogic lifestyle)
8 11.00-12.00 noon Pranayama (yogic breathing)
9 12.00-01.00 pm Yoga asanas- special techniques for obesity
10 1.00-2.00 pm Lunch (vegetarian low calorie diet)
11 2.00-2.30 pm Deep Relaxation Technique (DRT)
12 2.30-4.00 pm Assessments and counseling
13 4.00-5.00 pm Cyclic meditation
14 5.00-6.15 pm Malt & Tuning to nature

15 6.15-6.45 pm Bhajan (devotional session)
16 6.45-7.45 pm Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT)
17 7.45-8.30 pm Dinner (vegetarian low calorie diet)
18 8.30-9.30 pm Happy assembly
19 9.30-10.00 pm Self-study
20 10.00 pm Lights off
Table 3 - List of yoga practices
Name of practice Rounds Name of practice Rounds
Standing practices 2. Yogasanas
1. Sithilikarna vyayama Vakrasana 10
Jogging
(forward/backward/sideward)
40-100 Ardha matsyendrasana 10
Jumping 20 Pashcimottanasana 10
Forward backward bending 10 Supine practices
Side bending 10 1. Sithilikarana vyayama
Twisting (legs apart) 10 Pavanamuktasana kriya both side 5
Toe touching 10 Rocking and Rolling 5
Heel touching 10 Alternate knee touching 10
Hip rotation 10 Pashcimottanasana halasana swinging 10
Back swing 10 Straight leg raising (alternate) 10
Surya namaskara 6- 12 Side leg raising 10
Cycling forward backward 15 Spinal twist (with legs together) 10
Back stretch (alternative) 10 2. Yogasanas
Side stretch 10 Navasana 10
Free walk 1 min Halasana 10
Baby walk 1 min Prone practices
Camel walk 1 min 1. Sithilikarana vyayama

Crow walk 1 min Boating 10
Frog jump 1 min Bhujangasana salabhasana
swinging
10
Step climbing 10 Dhanurasana swinging 10
Diagonal jumps 10 Salamba salabhasana 10
Sitting practices Bhujangasana swinging 10
1. Sithilikarana vyayama 2. Yogasana
Knee rotation/Inverted and
Out-verted/Both knees rotation
10 Naukasana 10
Ardha padmasana swinging 10 Dhanursana 10
Padmasana swinging 10 Salabhasana 10
Tiger stretch 10
Results and Discussion
Anthropometric measurements
Change in weight after IAYT with respect to group is given in the Table 4. There is significant
reduction in weight in all groups. Group BMI showed maximum percentage change (-3.7%) in
weight and group BM2 showed minimum percentage change (-2.7) in weight with respect to pre
value. Number of subjects who had reduced their weights with respect to range of reduction of
weight is given in the Table 5. Maximum number of 21 subjects had reduced their weight in the
range of 2 – 2.9 kg; five subjects reduced their weight less than 1 kg. There was no change in
weight for three subjects and one subject had increased in the weight. Change in BMI is given in
Table 4. All groups had significant reduction in BMI. Result showed that Group BMI2 showed
maximum percentage change (-2.77%) in body mass index and group BMI1 showed minimum
percentage change (-1.68%) with respect to pre value. Wilcoxon’s signed ranks test showed
significant reduction in mid arm circumference in all subgroups. Group Age2 had maximum
percentage change in mid Arm circumference (-4.41%) and group BMI2 had the minimum
percentage change (-4.11%) after two weeks of yoga practice as given in the Table 4. As given in
the Table 6, paired samples test showed significant reduction in waist circumference (WC) in all
subgroups. Group BMI1 showed maximum percentage change (-5.8%) in WC and group BMI2
showed minimum percentage change (-3.3%) with respect to pre value. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks
Test showed significant reduction in hip circumference (HC) in all subgroups as given in the

Table 6. Group BMI1 had the maximum percentage change (-6.1%) in hip circumference and
group BMI2 had the minimum percentage change (-3.6%) with respect to pre value. As the
results given in Table 6 Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test showed no significant reduction in waist
hip circumference ratio (WHC) in all subgroups. Group Age2 had the maximum percentage
change (1.54%) in WHC and group BMI2 had the minimum percentage change (0.38%) with
respect to pre value.
Table 4 - Changes in weight, body mass index (BMI) and mid arc circumference (MAC)
after yoga practice
Groups
Weight BMI MAC
Mean
(kg)
%
Change p* Mean
(kg/m2)
%
Change p* Mean
(cm)
%
Change p*
Whole
group
Pre 85.30 -3 <0.001 33.16 -2.58 <0.001 33.60 -4.23 <0.001
Post 82.70 32.30 32.20
BMI1 Pre 76.40 -3.7 <0.001 27.80 -1.68 0.006 32 -4.23 0.001
Post 73.60 27.33 30.60
BMI2 Pre 89.30 -2.7 <0.001 35.83 -2.77 <0.001 34.50 -4.11 <0.001
Post 86.90 34.84 33
Age1 Pre 83.30 -2.9 <0.001 31.41 -1.99 0.001 32.51 -4.37 <0.001
Post 81.00 30.80 31.10
Age2 Pre 85.70 -3 <0.001 34.27 -2.75 <0.001 34.30 -4.41 <0.001
Post 83.10 33.33 32.80
*Wilcoxon’s signed ranks test
Table 5 - Range of reduction of weight after yoga practice
Weight (kg) Number of
subjects
Percentage
Reduction in
weight in
two weeks
≥ 5 5 7.35
4 – 4.9 8 11.76
3 – 3.9 15 22.06
2 – 2.9 21 30.88
1 – 1.9 10 14.71
< 1 5 13.24
No change in weight 3 4.41
Increase in weight 1 1.07

Table 6 - Changes in waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist hip
circumference ratio (WHC) after yoga practice
Groups
WC HC WHC
Mean
(cm)
%
Change p* Mean
(cm)
%
Change p** Mean %
Change p**
Whole
group
Pre 104 -4.1 <0.001 114 -4.3 <0.001 0.91 0.51 0.62
Post 100 109 0.92
BMI1 Pre 97.1 -5.8 <0.001 108 -6.1 0.006 0.91 0.76 0.37
Post 92 101 0.92
BMI2 Pre 107 -3.3 <0.001 118 -3.6 <0.001 0.91 0.38 0.5
Post 104 113 0.92
Age1 Pre 100 -4.40 <0.001 112 -3.7 0.001 0.90 -0.95 0.12
Post 96 108 0.89
Age2 Pre 105 -4.1 <0.001 115 -4.4 <0.001 0.92 1.54 0.47
Post 101 110 0.93
*paired samples test, **Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test
Clinical measurements
Results of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) as given in the Table 7, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test
showed significant reduction in all subgroups. Group BMI1 had the maximum percentage
change (-6.68%) in DBP and group BMI2 had the minimum percentage change (-5.76%) with
respect to pre value. Paired Samples Test showed significant reduction in pulse rate (PR) in all
subgroups except of the group BMI1 as results are given in the Table 7. Group Age1 had the
maximum percentage change (-8%) in PR and group Age2 had the minimum percentage change
(-4%) with respect to pre value. Paired Samples Test showed significant reduction in respiratory
rate (RR) in all subgroups. Group Age1 had the maximum percentage change (-19%) in RR and
group Age2 had the minimum percentage change (-8.5%) with respect to pre value. Results of
bhramari time (BT) as given in the Table 7 showed that Wilcoxon Signed Ranks significant
reduction in bhramari time in all subgroups. Group BMI1 had the maximum percentage change
(51%) in BT and group Age1 had the minimum percentage change (31%) with respect to pre
value. Similar to the present design, previous study showed that the surya anuloma viloma
pranayama group individually showed a better reduction in weight, MAC, weight/height ratio,

systolic blood pressure and BMI when compared to the other three groups of nadishuddhi
pranayama, candranuloma viloma pranayama and breath awareness due to sympathetic arousal
(SVYASA, 2005).
Table 7 - Changes in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR)
and bhramari time (BT) after yoga practice
Groups
DBP PR RR BT
Mean %
Change p* Mean %
Change p** Mean %
Change p** Mean %
Change p*
Whole
group
Pre 81.96
-6.05 <0.001
82
-5 0.001
19.00
-12 <0.001
12.00
39 <0.001
Post 77.00 78 17.00 17.00
BMI1
Pre 78.23
-6.68 0.011
79
0 0.945
18.00
-16 <0.001
12.00
51 <0.001
Post 73.00 79 16.00 18.00
BMI2
Pre 83.74
-5.76 0.008
83
-7 <0.001
20.00
-9.8 0.002
12.00
34 <0.001
Post 78.91 77 18.00 16.00
Age1
Pre 77.56
-6.29 0.014
83
-8 0.007
19
-19 0.002
13
31 0.001
Post 72.96 77 16 19
Age2
Pre 84.37
-6.22 0.005
81
-4 0.033
20
-8.5 0.002
12
35 <0.001
Post 79.12 78 18 16
*Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, ** Paired Samples Test
Conclusions
Integrated yoga practices can be practiced safely and help the subjects with obesity. This short
term intensive program helps in reducing weight, body mass index, mid arm circumference,
waist circumference, hip circumference, diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate and bhramari
time.
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