Role of Yogic Exercises in Reduction of Body Weight and BMI Level

Abstract

The major cause of obesity is our poor lifestyle. Obesity leads to many health problems. More than half of the population of our country is considered obese today. Genetic and environment factors can contribute to obesity, but undoubtedly our lifestyle also plays a big role. If an individual have been gaining pounds lately, then chances are that our lifestyle could be cause of weight gain. Obesity does not just happen overnight rather it develops gradually from improper diet and poor lifestyle choices of an individual. In our study, 50 male subjects were selected randomly who are coming in for yoga practice at Municipality Gandhi Park, Baraut (Baghpat), Uttar Pradesh. Most subjects are in the range from 40 to 55 years where maximum subjects are coming to park for the morning walk and some general physical exercise for maintain their daily routine. Data are collected on the selected subjects such as heights (in m) and body weight by using standardized instruments and was recorded in kg. The BMI was calculated by standard BMI formula, devised in the 1830s by Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet, a Belgian astronomer, mathematician, statistician and sociologist. It aims to estimate whether a person has a healthy weight to height ratio by dividing their weight in kilograms (kg) by their height in metres squared. The correlation method was used to find out the correlation between yogic exercises like paranayam and body weight and BMI of subjects. The positive correlations are found between yogic exercises and reduction of the body weight of the subjects. There is also positive correlation between yogic exercises and reduction of the BMI level of subjects.