EFFECT OF YOGIC PRACTICES ON BODY MASS INDEX AND LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN AMONG MIDDLE AGED OBESE MEN

 

*M.Sivaraman, **Dr.S.Murugesan *Ph.D Scholar, Faculty of Yoga Sciences and Therapy, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), West K.K.Nagar, Chennai – 600078. elumalain1955@gmail.com **Associate Professor, Faculty of Yoga Sciences and Therapy, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), West K.K.Nagar, Chennai – 600078. Email id: murugeshyoga@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the random group experimental study was to find out the effect of Yogic Practices on Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein among Middle aged obese men. For the purpose of the study, 30 middle aged obese men were selected randomly using random sampling method from Chennai between the age group of 35 and 45 years and they were divided into two groups I, and II with 15 subjects each. It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences among the middle aged obese men on selected physiological and Biochemical variables such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein than the control group. Preliminary test was conducted for two Groups on Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein before the start of the training program. Group I subjects were given Yogic practices for 60 minutes, 6 days a week for a total period of eight weeks. Group II (Control Group) were in active rest. After the experimental period, the two groups were retested again on the same selected dependent variables. Analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) was used to find out the significant differences between the experimental group and the control group. The test of significance was fixed at 0.05 level of confidence. The results of the study proved that the Experimental Group showed significant differences on selected physiological and Biochemical variables such as Body Mass Index (BMI)(decreased) and Low Density Lipoprotein(decreased) than the Control Group due to Yogic practices among middle aged obese men. The hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of confidence. Hence it is concluded that Yogic practices are beneficial to the middle aged obese men to maintain healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein.

Key words: Yogic Practices, Obesity, Body Mass Index, Low Density Lipoprotein.

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a growing public health concern in modern societies. Physical inactivity and unhealthy diet have been identified as major risk factors for obesity. Ample research has highlighted the role of obesity as a risk factor for a large number of chronic health complications, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea and certain types of cancer, as well as in mood change and depression in obese individual .Obesity previously called as a sign of prosperity now popularly known as sign of impending diabetes or ill health. Obesity is the number one nutritional disorder in the developed world. Many research studies proved that Yogic practices are the gentle and positive approach for reducing body weight and maintain healthy lifestyle for obese people.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objective of the study was to find out whether there would be any significant difference on selected Physiological and Biochemical variables such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) among Middle aged obese men.

 

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of yogic practices on Body Mass Index BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein among Middle aged obese men.

HYPOTHESIS

It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences on Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein among Middle aged obese men due to yogic practices than the control group.

DELIMITATIONS

• The study was delimited to 30 Middle aged obese men from Chennai city only.
• The study was delimited to the obese men aged between 35 and 45 only.
• The study was delimited to the independent variable yogic practices only
• The dependent variables were restricted to Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein only.

LIMITATIONS

• The factors like life style, body structure, and social activities were not taken in to consideration for this study.
• The factors like family heredity and motivational factors were not taken into consideration for this study.
• External factors like environmental and climatic conditions, economical background and also day to day work were not taken into consideration.
• The factors like diet, medication and personal habits were not taken into consideration for the study.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Kennedy, E. T. et.al., (2001) studied on Popular Diets: Correlation to Health, Nutrition, and Obesity. The Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) 1994-1996 data were used to examine the relationship between prototype popular diets and diet quality as measured by the healthy eating index (HEI), consumption patterns, and body mass index (BMI). The prototype diets included vegetarian (no meat, poultry, or fish on day of survey) and non-vegetarian. The non-vegetarian group was further subdivided into low carbohydrate (less than 30% of energy from carbohydrate), medium (30% to 55%), and high (greater than 55% of energy). Within the high carbohydrate group, participants were classified as having Pyramid or non-Pyramid eating patterns. The Pyramid group was defined as 30% or less of energy from fat and at least one serving from the five major food groups in the USDA Food Guide Pyramid. Finally, the non-Pyramid group was further subdivided into low fat (less than 15% of energy from fat) and moderate fat (15% to 30% of energy from fat). In addition, a review of the published scientific literature was conducted; all studies identified were included in the review. 10,014 adults, aged 19 years and older, from the 1994-1996 CSFII were included in the analyses of extant data. More than 200 individual studies were included in the review of the literature. Diets that are high in carbohydrate and low to moderate in fat tend to be lower in energy. The lowest energy intakes were observed for those on a vegetarian diet. The diet quality as measured by HEI was highest for the high carbohydrate groups and lowest for the low carbohydrate groups. The BMIs were significantly lower for men and women on the high carbohydrate diet; the highest BMIs were noted for those on a low carbohydrate diet.

Roberts C. K., et. al.,(2006) has studied the significant debate with regard to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and high-fiber, low-fat diets. The current study which was designed to examine the effects of lifestyle modification on the inflammatory/anti-inflammatory properties of HDL in obese men with metabolic syndrome factors. The selected subjects were placed on a high-fiber, low-fat diet in a three-week homely program where food was provided ad libitum and daily aerobic exercise was easily performed. When fasting blood was drawn pre- and post-intervention for serum lipids, lipid hydroperoxides, and the capacity of subject HDL to alter low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-induced monocyte chemotactic action (MCA) in a human artery wall coculture. Inducting MCA by control LDL in the absence of HDL was normalized Values after HDL addition indicated pro-inflammatory HDL; values as indicated anti-inflammatory HDL. Additionally, proteins involved in regulating HDL function, apolipoprotein, paraoxonase 1 and 3, and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase were clearly measured. After three-week, decreases in total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-C, triglycerides, total cholesterol-to-HDL cholesterol ratio, and lipid hydroperoxides were identified. The HDL inflammatory index decreased from pro- to anti-inflammatory. ApoA-I level and paraoxonase activity did not change; however, platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity increased. In spite of a quantitative reduction in HDL-C, HDL converted from pro- to anti-inflammatory. These data indicate that intensive lifestyle modification abnormally improves the function of HDL even at the face of reduced levels, suggesting increased turnover of pro-inflammatory HDL.

METHODOLOGY

To achieve the purpose of the random group experimental study, 60 middle aged men from the Chennai city came forward between the age from 35 and 45 years, 45 were screened and 30 subjects were selected through random group sampling method and were divided into two groups I and II. Group I was given yogic practices and the group II subjects were in active rest without any training. Preliminary test was conducted for the two groups (I and II) on the selected dependent variables before the start of the training program. The experimental group underwent training for Six days a week for the maximum of an hour in the morning for eight weeks.

Yogic practices such as Pawanmuktasana II, Surya Namaskar followed by Asanas such as Shasangasana, Padahastasana, Ardhamatsyendrasan, Trikonasana, Viparita Karani, Matsyasana, Patchimotanasana, Shavasan and Pranayama practices such as Nadishodana Pranyama, Kapalbati, Brahmari Pranayama followed by Yoga Nidra were given to group I subjects.

Group II (Control Group) subjects were permitted to undergo their routine and normal lifestyle during the course of experiment without any specific training.

After eight weeks, the two groups were retested again on the same selected dependent variables such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

The Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA) is used as a statistical technique to find out the significant differences between the groups. The test of significance was fixed at 0.05 of confidence.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

TABLE I

COMPUTATION OF ANALYSIS OF COVARIANCE OF TRAINING GROUP AND CONTROL GROUP ON BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) (Scores in mmHg)

TEST	EXP GROUP 1	CONTROL GROUP GROUP2	SOURCE OF VARIANCE	DEGREES OF FREEDOM	SUM OF SQUARES	MEAN SUM OF SQUARES	F-RATIO
Pre	25.61	25.41	Between	1	0.30	0.30	0.43
			With in	28	19.59	0.70
Post	23.67	25.21	Between	1	17.94	17.94	18.23*
			With in	28	27.55	0.98
Adjusted Post	23.61	25.27	Between	1	20.52	20.52	27.01*
			With in	27	20.51	0.76

*Significant at 0.05 level of confidence. (Table F-ratio at 0.05 level of confidence for 1 and 28 (df) =4.2, 1 and 27 (df) =4.21)

The obtained F value on pre test scores 0.43 was lesser than the recommended F value of 4.2 to be significant at 0.05 level. This shows that there was no significant difference between the groups before the training period. There is significant difference between groups after the completion of training program, as obtained F value 18.23 was greater than the required F value of 4.20. This proved that the differences between the post-test means of the subject were significant. On account of adjusted pre-post-test mean scores, the obtained F value 27.01 was greater than the required F value of 4.21. This proved that there was a significant difference among the means due to eight weeks of yogic practices on Body Mass Index (BMI) in line with the study conducted by Kennedy, E. T. et.al., (2001). The ordered adjusted means on Body Mass Index (BMI) were presented through bar diagram for better interpretation of the outcome of this study in Figure -1.

 

Figure – 1

BAR DIAGRAM SHOWING THE MEAN DIFFERENCES AMONG THE GROUPS ON BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) (Scores in mmHg)

*Significant at 0.05 level of confidence. (Table F-ratio at 0.05 level of confidence for 1 and 28 (df) =4.2, 1 and 27 (df) =4.21)

 

TABLE-II

COMPUTATION OF ANALYSIS OF COVARIANCE OF TRAINING GROUPS AND CONTROL GROUP ON LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (Score in mg/dL)

TEST	EXP GROUP I	CONTROL GROUP GROUP 2	SOURCE OF VARIANCE	DEGREES OF FREEDOM	SUM OF SQUARES	MEAN SUM OF SQUARES	F-RATIO
Pre	119.40	122.87	Between	1	90.13	90.13	1.26
			With in	28	2009.33	71.76
Post	90.13	123.27	Between	1	8233.63	8233.63	269.11*
			With in	28	856.67	30.60
Adjusted Post	90.65	122.75	Between	1	7392.48	7392.48	295.58*
			With in	27	675.27	25.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Significant at 0.05 level of confidence.(Table F-ratio at 0.05 level of confidence for 1 and 28 (df) =4.2, 1 and 27 (df) =4.21)

The obtained F value on pre test scores 1.26 was lesser than the recommended F value of 4.2 to be significant at 0.05 level. This shows that there was no significant difference between the groups before the training period. There is significant difference between groups after the completion of training program, as obtained F value 269.11 was greater than the required F value of 4.20. This proved that the differences between the post-test means of the subject were significant. On account of adjusted pre-post-test mean scores, the obtained F value 295.58 was greater than the required F value of 4.21. This proved that there was a significant difference among the means due to eight weeks of yogic practices on Low Density Lipoprotein in line with the study conducted by Roberts C. K(2006). The ordered adjusted means on Low Density Lipoprotein were presented through bar diagram for better interpretation of the outcome of this study in Figure -2.

 

Figure 2

BAR DIAGRAM SHOWING THE MEAN DIFFERENCE AMONG EXPERIMENTAL AND CONTROL GROUPS ON LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (Score in mg/dL)

*Significant at 0.05 level of confidence.(Table F-ratio at 0.05 level of confidence for 1 and 28 (df) =4.2, 1 and 27 (df) =4.21)

The outcome of the study exhibits that Body Mass Index (BMI) decreased and Low Density Lipoprotein decreased significantly due to Yogic Practices for Group-I than Group II. Hence the hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of confidence.

The above findings were also substantiated by the observations made by experts such as Kennedy, E. T. et.al., (2001) and Roberts C. K (2006).

DISCUSSION ON HYPOTHESIS

It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences on selected Physiological variable such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and Biochemical variable such as Low Density Lipoprotein due to Yogic Practices among Middle aged obese men than the control group. The results proved that there were significant differences on Body Mass Index (BMI) (decreased) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) (decreased) due to Yogic Practices than the control group among Middle aged obese men. Hence hypothesis is accepted at 0.05 level of confidence.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that there were significant differences on Body Mass Index (BMI) (decreased) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) (decreased) among experimental group I compared to control group II due to Yogic Practices among Middle aged obese men. Hence, Yogic practices are good for Middle aged obese men to maintain healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein.

REFERENCES

• Kennedy E. T. et al. (2001) “Popular Diets: Correlation to Health, Nutrition, and

Obesity” Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 101(4), 411-20.

• Roberts, C. K., Ng, C., Hama, S., Eliseo, A. J., & Barnard, R. J. (2006). Effect of a short-term diet and exercise intervention on inflammatory/anti-inflammatory properties of HDL in overweight/obese men with cardiovascular risk factors. Journal of applied physiology.