Yoga Lowers Obesity and Diabetes Risk
The Study
The study, published in eCAM (Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine), examined the effect of yoga on the risk of type 2 diabetes in overweight adults. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, administered either a yoga program or educational program to 23 adults at high risk for diabetes for 12 weeks. The participants did not exercise the previous year, had a family history of diabetes and had one or more risk factors including obesity, impaired insulin, high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol levels.
The yoga group participated in twice weekly yoga 1-hour sessions and regular home yoga practice. The vinyasa style yoga program was designed and led by a certified yoga instructor and Ph.D. certified nurse. Vinyasa yoga is a flow style of yoga in which participants move continuously through yoga poses.
The education group received health educational materials including diabetes prevention information every two weeks. Questionnaires, blood tests and BMI (body mass index) were obtained from the participants at the beginning and end of the study.
The Results
The researchers found that the yoga participants had improved weight, blood pressure, insulin, cholesterol and exercise self-efficacy, compared to the education group. Exercise self-efficacy is a measure of self-confidence to engage in exercise. An increase in exercise self-efficacy suggests an improvement in healthy exercise habits.
The Main Point
"This preliminary study indicates that a yoga program would be a possible risk reduction option for adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes," the study authors write. "In addition, yoga holds promise as an approach to reducing cardiometabolic risk factors and increasing exercise self-efficacy for this group."
This study is significant because it suggests that yoga practice may reduce the risk of diabetes and promote weight loss in overweight adults. It also shows that yoga practice can establish healthy exercise habits.
Your Thoughts
Are you a practicing yoga to help manage your weight and/or diabetes? Please share with us below.
Sources
Gavalas, Elaine. The Yoga Minibook for Weight Loss. Simon & Schuster Fireside. elainegavalas.com
Published by Elaine Gavalas
Elaine's featured on the Today Show, Martha Stewart Living Today and other media. She's an exercise physiologist, nutritionist, yoga therapist and author of Yogi in the Kitchen, Yoga Minibook Series and Secr... View profile
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