Yoga more effective than aerobics in treating obesity: Study

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Yoga more effective than aerobics in treating obesity: Study

Mumbai | December 30, 2006 10:35:35 AM IST

Yoga is more effective in controlling weight and treating obesity than aerobics,

according to a recent study. Obesity is the most common nutritional

disorder and causes numerous complications, including Diabetes Mellitus,

Coronary Heart Disease and Hypertension among others, the research conducted by

Dr T K Bera, Assistant Director of Research at the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Research

Institute, Lonavala, stated. Emotional and psychological disturbances are

also associated with obesity as it carries a social stigma. The fundamental

determinant of problems in body weight and body composition is the calorific

imbalance. When the intake of calories exceeds their expenditure, the body gains

weight. Fasting and extreme diet restrictions cause substantial loss of

water and lean muscles. High resistance exercise programmes may lead to gain in

lean weight. However, intensive exercises regimens have been found

''harmful'' especially for the lesser fit individuals.

Also, obese people, if put on these strict exercise regimens are exposed to a

risk of orthopaedic injury. Therefore, the intensity of exercise should be

maintained at or below the 65 per cent of maximum heart rate recommended for

improvement of cardio-respiratory endurance. Research has revealed that yoga

practices never allow the heart to be ''over-burdened''. Instead, a slow but

steady cardio-respiratory endurance can be experienced. Also, thyroid problems

are evident in the obese and yoga is a good means to gently ''massage'' the

thyroid gland to reduce such related complications, says Dr Bera. Yoga

practice provides progressive muscular stretching with slow dynamic movements

followed by static stretch and leads to greater range of motion, which is

beneficial for treating obese patients. High resistance movements in

aerobics, on the other hand, may put the obese to risk of injury of hampering

cardio-respiratory systems. As yoga does not consider high

resistance in moving body parts, it entails no such risk. People on

aerobics are able to reduce excessive body fat in quick time but if in the

long-run the practice is discontinued, the fat level and body weight start

increasing. Whereas, yoga, which is a slow and smooth process, puts low to

moderate pressure on cardiovascular system which is useful in treating obesity.

Dr Bera says daily practice of Pranayama alters eating habits of the individual

by influencing satiety centre in the hypothalamus, contributing to reduction of

body weight. ''Yoga does not only have long term effects but also

consistency, which is not the case in aerobics,'' he said. Dr Bera's

research also revealed that obese patients practicing yoga had comparatively

reduced anxiety levels than those doing aerobics. Dr Bera, however, stated

a combined approach on the basis of the two regimens may prove better in the

treatment of obesity.

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