The Effect of Hatha Yoga Training on Nesfatine-1, Appetite and Obesity indices in Overweight Women

The effect of exercises that consist of a set of mental and physical exercise has received less attention on reducing appetite and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hatha yoga training on Nesfatin-1 as an inhibitory factor on appetite and a regulator of energy balance, appetite and obesity indices in overweight women.

In this semi-experimental study, 24 women aged 35-45 years (with a mean BMI of 28.94 ± 3.62 kg/m2) were randomly divided into two exercise (n=12), and control(n=12) groups. The exercise group participated in hatha yoga training for eight weeks and the control group continued their daily activities. Blood sampling (serum nesfatin-1) and measurement of appetite (desire to eat, satiety, fullness and hunger) and obesity (BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (W/H ), fat percentage) indicators were performed twice, before exercise and 48 hours after exercise in subjects' luteal phase. Data analysis was done by paired t-tests, ANCOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient and using SPSS23 software.

In the exercise group, nesfatin-1 increased significantly (p=0.001). The hunger and desire to eat decreased significantly, the satiety and fullness increased significantly (p<0.05). Obesity indicators showed a small but significant decrease (p<0.05). A positive and significant relationship was found between the reduction of hunger and obesity indicators (BMI, W/H and fat percentage), as well as the reduction of appetite, BMI and fat percentage(p<0.05).

Mild physical and mental exercises such as Hatha Yoga can be useful in reducing the weight of obese women through appetite control.