Yoga in Obesity Management: Reducing cardiovascular risk and enhancing well-being- A review of the current literature.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
yoga | decrease | body mass index (BMI) | obese individuals | - | consistently yielded positive results in reducing | #1 |
yoga | decrease | waist circumference | obese individuals | - | consistently yielded positive results in reducing | #2 |
yoga | decrease | body fat | obese individuals | - | consistently yielded positive results in reducing | #3 |
yoga | increase | cardiovascular markers | obese individuals | - | correlate with significant improvements in | #4 |
yoga | decrease | blood-pressure | obese individuals | - | correlate with significant improvements in | #5 |
yoga | decrease | cholesterol levels | obese individuals | - | correlate with significant improvements in | #6 |
yoga | increase | endothelial functions | obese individuals | - | correlate with significant improvements in | #7 |
yoga | increase | autonomic functions | obese individuals | - | correlate with significant improvements in | #8 |
yoga | increase | stress management | obese individuals | - | enhances | #9 |
yoga | increase | psychological well-being | obese individuals | - | enhances | #10 |
yoga | decrease | systemic inflammation | obese individuals | - | affecting | #11 |
yoga | increase | metabolic health | obese individuals | - | affecting | #12 |
BACKGROUND: Obesity, a global epidemic, significantly increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Conventional treatments often lack long-term efficacy, emphasizing the need for integrative, sustainable approaches. OBJECTIVE: This review assesses the role of yoga as a complementary intervention in obesity management and its effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular risk. METHODS: We systematically reviewed literature up to March 2024 from Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Embase and the Cochrane Central Library. The focus was on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the impact of yoga on obesity-related outcomes and cardiovascular risk factors. Studies were reviewed for quality, outcomes, and both physiological and psychological effects of yoga on obese individuals. RESULTS: Yoga interventions consistently yielded positive results in reducing body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and body fat. These physical changes correlate with significant improvements in cardiovascular markers, including blood-pressure, cholesterol levels, endothelial and autonomic functions. Yoga also enhances stress management and psychological well-being, addressing both mental and physical facets of obesity. The benefits extend beyond mere weight reduction, affecting systemic inflammation and metabolic health, crucial for mitigating CVD risks. CONCLUSION: Yoga represents a promising, non-pharmacological approach to obesity management and CVD risk reduction. Its holistic impact on physical and psychological health makes it a viable adjunct therapy in comprehensive obesity management, fostering sustainable lifestyle changes and long-term health benefits. IMPLICATIONS: Incorporating yoga into standard obesity management protocols could enhance therapeutic outcomes. Future research should standardize yoga interventions to better integrate them into modern healthcare and explore their long-term cardiovascular effects.