EFFECT OF YOGIC PRACTICES ON BODY MASS INDEX  AND LOW DENSITY LIPO PROTEIN AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS SUFFERING WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

 

*K. J. Sridevi, **Dr. R. Elangovan, *Full-Time Ph.D Scholar, Faculty of Yoga Sciences and Therapy, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), No.12, Vembuliamman Koil Street, West K.K.Nagar, Chennai-78, Tamil Nadu, India. E- Mail ID: janardhanasridevi.k@gmail.com, **Professor & Head, Faculty of Yoga Sciences and Therapy, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), No.12, Vembuliamman Koil Street, West K.K.Nagar, Chennai-78, Tamil Nadu, India. E-Mail ID: relangovantnpesu@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 (LDL) among adolescent girls suffering with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. For the purpose of the study, 30 adolescent girls suffering with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome were selected randomly using random sampling method from Chennai between the age group of 16 and 19 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 adolescent girls suffering with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on selected physiological and Biochemical variables such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) than the control group. Preliminary test was conducted for two Groups on Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) 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 12 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 (LDL) (decreased) than the Control Group due to Yogic practices among adolescent girls suffering with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of confidence. Hence it is concluded that Yogic practices are beneficial to the adolescent girls to maintain healthy Body Mass Index (BMI), Low Density Lipoprotein and to overcome Polycystic Ovary Syndrome problems.

 

KEY WORDS: Yoga, Adolescence, Body Mass Index (BMI), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL).

 

INTRODUCTION

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most alarming and common endocrine disorders seen among adolescent girls today. The population suffering with polycystic syndrome is estimated around 2.2% to 26% in India and 9.13% South Indian adolescent girls are found in the survey suffering with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [1]

Characteristics visible among adolescent girls with PCOS problem are
Reproductive Characteristics	Hyperandrogenism, Amenorrhea, Oligomenorrhea, Hirsutism, Over secretion of Luteinizing Hormone, Polycystic Ovaries
Metabolic Disorders	Hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, impaired pancreatic cell insulin secretion, type 2 diabetes and many more unseen associated effects

Though the cause, origination and development of PCOS remain uncertain, it is seen more as a heritable tendency. Weight loss is identified as primary solution in PCOS. Studies suggest five percent reduction in weight can help the adolescent girls to restore regular menstruation and improve response to ovulation [2]

YOGA

Number of research works proved that yoga influence Neuro endocrine axis resulting in many beneficial changes physically, physiologically and emotionally among the subjects. Yogic practices improve reproductive functions by reducing stress and balancing the Neuro-hormonal profile. Regular practice of yoga also reduces urinary excretion of catecholamine and aldosterone which plays a major role in maintaining homeostasis in the blood pressure, cardiovascular health, and adrenal health there by balancing the secretion of testosterone and progesterone hormones among females. It was also noted there are variations in brain waves (Beta waves to Alpha waves) and decrease in serum Cortisol during yoga therapy indicating lowering of stress level. Yoga is a form of holistic self therapy which binds mind–body and the results showed effective reduction in anxiety symptoms also among subjects suffering with PCOS [3]

OBJECTIVE 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 adolescent girls suffering with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of Yogic practices on Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) among adolescent girls suffering with polycystic ovary syndrome.

 

HYPOTHESIS

It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences due to Yogic practices on selected Physiological variable such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and Biochemical variable such as Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) than the control group among adolescent girls suffering with polycystic ovary syndrome.

DELIMITATIONS

• The study was confined to adolescent girls suffering with polycystic ovary syndrome from Chennai City, India only.
• The age of the subject was ranged from 16 to 19 years only.
• The study was confined to yogic practices as independent variable only
• The study was confined to Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) as dependent variables only.

LIMITATIONS

• The factors like Socio-Economical status were not taken into consideration.
• The climatic conditions were not considered.
• Factors like Life style habits were not taken into consideration.
• Subject’s day to day activities were not taken into account.
• Diet and Medication followed by subjects was not controlled.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Somayeh Abdolahian et.al., (2020) aimed to compare the effects of lifestyle interventions on anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters in adolescent girls with PCOS. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science published till Dec2019 were s systematically searched to retrieve studies investigating the effects of lifestyle modifications in adolescent girls with PCOS. The primary outcome was Body Mass Index (BMI) and secondary outcomes were all manifestations of PCOS, including clinical, metabolic, and hormonal parameters. Random effect meta-analysis was applied for significant results. Publication bias was assessed using the Egger test. The study showed significant improvements in luteinizing hormone (LH) and Free Androgen Index (FAI) levels in adolescent girls receiving lifestyle intervention compared to baseline. This study also revealed that diet modifications alone were associated with a significant decrease in Body Mass Index (BMI) and FG score. Exercise interventions were associated with significant changes in the menstrual cycles, Ferriman-Gallwey (FG) score, LH, Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and Triglyceride (TG) levels. This meta-analysis concluded lifestyle interventions, such as diet and exercise, can improve some clinical, metabolic, and hormonal parameters in adolescent girls with PCOS.

Nidhi.R et.al., (2013) did a prospective, randomized, active controlled trial to find the effects of a yoga on endocrine parameters among adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome and compare the yoga with the conventional exercise program.90 adolescent aged between 15 and 18 years girls from a residential college in Andhra Pradesh who satisfied the Rotterdam criteria were randomized into two groups. Group I yoga, while the control group practiced a matching set of physical exercises (1 hour a day, for 12 weeks).Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH-primary outcome), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, prolactin, body-mass index (BMI), hirsutism, and menstrual frequency were measured at beginning and end of 12 weeks.The results of Mann-Whitney test showed significant difference on the selected parameters such as AMH, LH and LH/FSH between the two groups. Also, changes were observed in testosterone and Modified Ferriman and Gallway (mFG) score were significantly different between the two groups. On the other hand, changes in FSH and prolactin during post intervention were not significantly different between the two groups. Body weight and BMI showed not significantly different changes between the two groups, while changes in menstrual frequency were significantly different between the two groups. It was concluded that yoga is better than physical exercise in reducing AMH, LH, and testosterone, mFG score for hirsutism, and improving menstrual frequency with non significant changes in body weight, FSH, and prolactin in adolescent with PCOS.

 

METHODOLOGY

To achieve the purpose of the study, 60 came forward, 45 were screened and 30 adolescent girls suffering with polycystic ovary syndrome were selected randomly from Chennai city, between the age group of 16and 19 years and they were divided into two groups I and II with 15 subjects in each group. Preliminary test was conducted for the two groups (I and II) on the selected dependent variables before the start of the training program. Group I subjects were given Yogic practices for 60 minutes , six days in a week for a total period of 12 weeks.

Yogic practices such as Pawanmuktasana II, Surya Namaskar followed by Asanas such as Shasangasana, Baddakonasana, Ardhamatsyendrasan, Trikonasana, Viparita Karani, Matsyasana, Patchimotanasana, Shavasan and Pranayama practices such as NadishodanaPranyama, 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 12 weeks, the two groups were retested again on the same selected dependent variables such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)and scores were statistically measured using Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) to find out the significant differences between the two groups. The test of significance was fixed at 0.05 level of confidence.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

 

• The data pertaining to the variable collected from the two groups before and after the training period were statistically analyzed by using Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA) to determine the significant difference and the hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of confidence.
• These are shown in the Tables below.

Table I

ANALYSIS OF COVARIANCE OF THE MEANS OF EXPERIMENTAL GROUPAND THE CONTROL GROUP ON BODY MASS INDEX

(SCORES IN Weight (Kg)/Height in m2)

Tests/ Groups	EX. GR-I		CG – II		SV		Sum of Squares		Df	Mean Squares	“F” Ratio
Pre Test		25.39		25.08		B		0.32	1	0.32	0.48
						W		18.68	28	0.67
Post Test		24.07		25.21		B		9.86	1	9.86	21.00*
						W		13.15	28	0.47
Adjusted Post Test		24.04		25.24		B		10.79	1	10.79	25.54*
						W		11.41	27	0.42

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

 

This proved that the differences between the post test means of the subjects were significant. Taking into consideration the pre and post test scores among the groups, adjusted mean scores were calculated and subjected to statistical treatment. The obtained F value 21.00 was greater than the required F value of 4.21. This proved that there was a significant difference among the means due to 12 weeks of yogic practices on Body Mass Index (BMI) in line with the study conducted by Somayeh Abdolahian et.al., (2020).

The ordered adjusted means on Body Mass Index (BMI) was presented through bar diagram for better understanding of the results of this study in Figure - 1.

Figure – 1

BAR DIAGRAM SHOWING THE MEAN DIFFERENCES AMONG THE GROUPS ON BODY MASS INDEX (Scores in Weight (Kg)/Height in m2)

* Significant at 0.05 level of confidence.(Table F ratio at 0.05 level, of confidence for df 1

and 28= 4.2, 1and 27= 4.21)

 

Table II

ANALYSIS OF COVARIANCE OF THE MEANS OF EXPERIMENTAL GROUP AND THE CONTROL GROUP ON LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN(SCORES IN mg/dL)

Tests/ Groups	EX. GR-I		CG - II		SV		Sum of Squares		Df	Mean Squares	“F” Ratio
Pre Test		123.67		122.87		B		4.80	1	4.80	0.10
						W		1309.07	28	46.75
Post Test		89.47		124.07		B		8978.70	1	8978.70	249.24*
						W		1008.67	28	36.02
Adjusted Post Test		89.31		124.22		B		9110.17	1	9110.17	305.89*
						W		804.12	27	29.78

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

The obtained F value 249.24 was greater than the required F value of 4.21. This proved that there was a significant difference among the means due to 12 weeks of yogic practices on Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) in line with the study conducted by Nidhi.R et.al., (2013).

The ordered adjusted means on Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) was presented through bar diagram for better understanding of the results of this study in Figure - 2.

 

Figure – 2

BAR DIAGRAM SHOWING THE MEAN DIFFERENCES AMONG THE GROUPS ON LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (LDL) (Scores in mg/dL)

 

* Significant at 0.05 level of confidence.(Table F ratio at 0.05 level, of confidence for df 1 and

28= 4.2, 1 and 27= 4.21)

 

The results of the study showed that Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipo protein(LDL) 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 Somayeh Abdolahian et.al., (2020) and Nidhi.R et.al., (2013).

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 (LDL)due to yogic practices among adolescent girls with Polycystic ovary Syndrome than the control group. The results proved that there were significant differences on Body Mass Index (BMI) (Decreased) and Low Density Lipoprotein (Decreased) due to yogic practices than the control group among adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that yogic practices decreased Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein significantly among adolescent girls. Hence, yogic practices are beneficial to adolescent girls suffering with polycystic ovary syndrome to maintain healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Density Lipoprotein

 

REFERENCES:

1. Nidhi, R., Padmalatha, V., Nagarathna, R., & Amritanshu, R. (2011). Prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome in Indian adolescents. Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, 24(4), 223–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2011.03.002
2. Goodman, N. F., Cobin, R. H., Futterweit, W., Glueck, J. S., Legro, R. S., Carmina, E., American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), American College of Endocrinology (ACE), & Androgen Excess and PCOS Society (AES) (2015). American Association Of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College Of Endocrinology, And Androgen Excess And Pcos Society Disease State Clinical Review: Guide To The Best Practices In The Evaluation And Treatment Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome--Part 1. Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, 21(11), 1291–1300. https://doi.org/10.4158/EP15748.DSC
3. Sengupta P. (2012). Health Impacts of Yoga and Pranayama: A State-of-the-Art Review. International journal of preventive medicine, 3(7), 444–458.
4. Abdolahian, S., Tehrani, F.R., Amiri, M. et al. Effect of lifestyle modifications on anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Endocr Disord 20, 71 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-020-00552-1
5. Nidhi, R., Padmalatha, V., Nagarathna, R., & Amritanshu, R. (2013). Effects of a holistic yoga program on endocrine parameters in adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 19(2), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0868
6. Singla, R., Gupta, Y., Khemani, M., & Aggarwal, S. (2015). Thyroid disorders and polycystic ovary syndrome: An emerging relationship. Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism, 19(1), 25–29. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.146860