Yoga Participation And Weight Loss Within A Behavioral Intervention

Abstract

Yoga may elicit numerous benefits including weight loss. However, it is unclear if adults with obesity will lose more weight as frequency and amount of yoga increases within a behavioral weight loss intervention. PURPOSE: To compare the association between yoga participation and weight loss across two styles of yoga. METHODS: Fifty adults with obesity (BMI: 31.3±3.8 kg/m2; 45.8±9.5 years) participated in a 6-month group-based behavioral weight loss intervention. All participants were prescribed a calorie and fat-reduced diet (1200-1800 kcal/day, 20-30% fat intake). Randomization was to either a Restorative (RES) or Vinyasa (VIN) style of yoga, with one supervised session per week and 4 home-based sessions using videos developed and provided by the investigators on an electronic tablet. Yoga sessions increased from 20 to 40 to 60 minutes per session across the intervention. Weight was assessed at baseline and 6 months. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to assess weight loss. Linear regression analyzed the association between yoga participation with weight loss. RESULTS: Weight significantly decreased from 87.3±2.6 kg to 81.8±2.6 kg in RES and from 88.4±2.6 kg to 82.5±2.6 kg in VIN (p<0.0001), with no difference between yoga conditions (p=0.882). Total participation days in yoga was significantly and linearly related to weight loss in both RES and VIN styles (β=0.088, p=0.018; β=0.089, p≤0.001, respectively). Total participation minutes in yoga was significantly and linearly related to weight loss in both RES and VIN styles (β=0.002, p=0.034; β=0.003, p≤0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that the amount and frequency of participation in yoga is associated with weight loss within the context of a comprehensive behavioral intervention. Future studies need to examine strategies to enhance yoga participation in adults with overweight or obesity, and to understand the pathways by which yoga may influence body weight regulation.