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Effect of Yogic Practices Combined with Mindfulness Meditation on Body Mass Index, Lipid Profile, and Quality of Life among Middle-Aged Obese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, reducing quality of life. While diet and medication help, non-pharmacological approaches like yoga and mindfulness show promise. However, evidence on their combined effects on BMI, lipid profile, and QoL in obese women remains limited. Methods: This RCT included 60 middle-aged obese women (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), randomly assigned to an intervention group (Group A, n = 30) or a control group (Group B, n = 30). Group A followed a 12-week supervised program with yogic practices (45 min/day, 5 days/week) and mindfulness meditation (15 min/day, 5 days/week), while Group B maintained their usual lifestyle. Primary outcomes included BMI and lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), with QoL assessed via the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Measurements were taken at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: After 12 weeks, Group A exhibited a significant reduction in BMI (↓8.4%, p = 0.002) and improvements in lipid parameters, including total cholesterol (↓10.5%, p = 0.009), LDL (↓13.9%, p = 0.004), triglycerides (↓9.6%, p = 0.023), and an increase in HDL (↑10.4%, p = 0.018). Additionally, QoL significantly improved in Group A across physical, psychological, and well-being domains (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. No significant improvements were observed in Group B. Conclusions: Yogic practices with mindfulness meditation improved BMI, lipid profile, and QoL in middle-aged obese women. These findings support yoga and mindfulness as effective non-pharmacological interventions for obesity. Larger studies with longer follow-ups are recommended to assess the sustainability of these benefits.
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130512
Authors: Manjula Rathinam, Eswari Varadharajan, Robert Çitozi, Jagadeeswari Suresh, Purshottam Dhavale, Ibnu Noufal Kambitta Valappil, Karuppasamy Govindasamy, Farjana Akter Boby, Vlad Adrian Geantă
Institutions: Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Sports University of Tirana, Pondicherry University, Sri Balaji University, Pune, Daffodil International University, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414138502
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