A Review of Yoga Programs for Four Leading Risk Factors of Chronic Diseases

Yoga, a form of physical activity, is rapidly gaining in popularity and has many health benefits. Yet healthcare providers have been slow to recognize yoga for its ability to improve health conditions, and few interventions have been developed that take full advantage of its benefits. The purpose of this article is to review published studies using yoga programs and to determine the effect of yoga interventions on common risk factors of chronic diseases (overweight, hypertension, high glucose level and high cholesterol). A systematic search yielded 32 articles published between 1980 and April 2007. The studies found that yoga interventions are generally effective in reducing body weight, blood pressure, glucose level and high cholesterol, but only a few studies examined long-term adherence. Additionally, not enough studies included diverse populations at high risk for diabetes and its related common health problems

Understanding Cultural Issues in the Diabetes Self-Management Behaviors of Korean Immigrants

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore potential factors affecting self-management behaviors in Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (KIT2Ds). METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design guided this study. Semi-structured interviews lasting 45-60 minutes were conducted with 20 KIT2Ds in the participant’s preferred language; in all cases this was Korean. Each interview was audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Data analysis was performed in two steps. The data written in Korean were initially analyzed by three bilingual researchers. A qualitative researcher then participated in the analysis to refine the findings for presentation to an English speaking audience while staying true to the data and preserving the nuanced Korean meanings. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 64. 5 ± 11.6 years (9 men and 11 women). The mean years of staying in the U. S. and age at diabetes mellitus diagnosis were 23.6 ± 9.7 years and 52.5 ± 12.3 years, respectively. Three major ideas were identified: (a) issues on treatment regimen related to both medications and diet, (b) resources that helped or hindered their ability to manage diabetes, and (c) the physician/patient relationship. CONCLUSIONS: There were important cultural nuances that need to be addressed to better prepare KIT2Ds to manage their diabetes more effectively. A culture specific program should extend beyond a diabetes self-management education delivered in Korean language. Rather, content and education methods need to consider acculturation effects on diabetes management behaviors

Original Article Utilization of 3-Month Yoga Program for Adults at High Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study

Various modes of physical activity, combined with dieting, have been widely recommended to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Among these, yoga holds promise for reducing risk factors for type 2 diabetes by promoting weight loss, improving glucose levels and reducing blood pressure and lipid levels. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing a 12-week yoga program among adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes. Twenty-three adults (19 Whites and 4 non-Whites) were randomly assigned to the yoga intervention group or the educational group. The yoga group participated in a 3-month yoga intervention with sessions twice per week and the educational group received general health educational materials every 2 weeks. All participants completed questionnaires and had blood tests at baseline and at the end of 3 months. Effect sizes were reported to summarize the efficacy of the intervention. All participants assigned to the yoga intervention completed the yoga program without complication and expressed high satisfaction with the program (99.2%). Their yoga session attendance ranged from 58.3 to 100%. Compared with the education group, the yoga group experienced improvements in weight, blood pressure, insulin, triglycerides and exercise self-efficacy indicated by small to large effect sizes. This preliminary study indicates that a yoga program would be a possible risk reduction option for adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes. In addition, yoga holds promise as an approach to reducing cardiometabolic risk factors and increasing exercise self-efficacy for this group

Health-related quality of life among participants in the SMART weight loss trial

Obesity has been associated with a decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL); however, the association between weight change and HRQoL is unclear. This secondary analysis of the SMART (Self Monitoring And Recording using Technology) trial, a clinical trial of behavioral weight loss treatment, provides evidence that quality of life improves with weight loss. © 2012 Elsevier Inc

Physical activity self-monitoring and weight loss: 6-month results of the SMART trial

Weight loss has been associated with higher physical activity (PA) levels and frequent dietary self-monitoring. Less is known about how PA self-monitoring affects adherence to PA goals, PA levels, and weight change. Methods: The SMART Trial is a clinical weight loss trial in which 210 overweight adults were randomized equally to one of three arms: 1) paper record (PR), 2) personal digital assistant with self-monitoring software (PDA), and 3) PDA with daily tailored feedback message (PDA + FB). PA self-monitoring and adherence to PA goals were based on entries in weekly submitted diaries. PA levels were measured via self-report by the past 6-month Modifiable Activity Questionnaire at baseline and 6 months. Results: Data are presented on 189 participants with complete 6-month PA data (84% female, 77% white, mean age = 47.3 ± 8.8 yr, mean body mass index = 34.1 ± 4.5 kg·m -2). Median PA level was 7.96 MET·h·wk -1 at baseline and 13.4 MET·h·wk -1 at 6 months, with significant PA increases in all three arms. PDA + FB arm had a higher mean number of weekly self-monitoring entries than the PR arm (3.4 vs 2.4, P = 0.003) and were more likely to maintain high (i.e., 100%) adherence to PA goals over time than the PDA (P = 0.02) or PR arms (P = 0.0003). Both PA self-monitoring and adherence to PA goals were related to higher PA levels at 6 months. A higher mean rate of PA self-monitoring was associated with a greater percentage of weight decrease (ρ = -0.49, P < 0.0001) at 6 months. Conclusions: PA self-monitoring and adherence to PA goals were more likely in participants in the PDA + FB arm and in turn predicted higher PA levels and weight loss. Copyright © 2011 by the American College of Sports Medicine