Feasibility and Impact of Yoga in Obesity
Condition: Yoga; Obesity; Weight Loss
MeSH terms: Obesity; Weight Loss
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Yoga may confer health benefits in people with overweight or obesity that enhance weight loss
      and weight loss maintenance. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of integrating
      yoga into an established behavioral weight loss program and describe the effects on glucose
      control, appetite, dietary intake, physical activity, and psychological health.
    

Detailed description: 
      Innovative approaches to improve long-term behavioral weight loss (BWL) program outcomes are
      critically needed. Current BWL programs typically produce modest (~5-10%) short-term (~6
      month) weight loss, but substantial weight regain by 1-year is common and well-documented.
      There has been a growing interest in examining the effects of yoga on weight loss and
      cardio-metabolic disease risk among adults with overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome,
      pre-diabetes, and diabetes. Overall, results are somewhat promising, but reviews and
      meta-analyses all conclude that existing studies suffer from significant methodological
      shortcomings. Moreover, yoga is broadly, variably, and often incorrectly defined, reflecting
      how key aspects of traditional yoga practice, with specific mind, body, and breath-based
      practices were lost in translation when yoga was commercially adopted as a form of exercise
      in the West. These key aspects warrant inclusion in yoga intervention research.

      The overall objectives of the proposed research are to 1) Evaluate the feasibility and
      acceptability of adding a 12-week traditional, multi-component yoga program to a standard BWL
      intervention (BWL+yoga), and 2) Explore changes in clinical/cardiometabolic, psychological,
      and energy balance/behavioral measures relevant for reducing cardio-metabolic disease risk.
      The yoga intervention was developed in collaboration with a world-renowned expert in
      traditional yoga practices following three decades of dedicated study, practice, and teaching
      (Mr. Paul Dallaghan). The program includes specific postures (asana), breathing (pranayama),
      and meditation (inner focus) techniques performed with an underlying focus on self-awareness
      delivered in-person and virtually. These specific techniques have been practiced historically
      and described for their benefits in the original Sanskrit teachings but are often excluded
      from yoga programs developed in the West. The overarching hypotheses are that these specific
      Hatha (body-breath) and Pantanjala (mind) yoga practices will be feasible in the context of a
      BWL, will support the adoption of changes in diet and physical activity, and improve mental
      and physical health.
    

Intervention name(s): Yoga + behavioral weight loss
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): A 12-week, one-arm proof-of-concept and feasibility study will be conducted at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU-AMC) to assess the processes critical for the success of future randomized trials including: a) Evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of adding a multi-component yoga program to a standard BWL intervention and b) Examining pre-post changes in relevant clinical/cardiometabolic, psychological, and energy balance/behavioral outcomes to inform the design of future trials. Participants will receive a comprehensive, group-based BWL intervention consistent with current guidelines for obesity treatment and a carefully designed multi-component yoga intervention delivered through pre-recorded videos delivered through a cloud-based platform that will be completed in-person and at-home (BWL+yoga).
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: Proof-of-Concept, single-arm study
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Other