Tai chi Effective In Reducing Waist Circumference in elderly with central obesity: Study
Adults with central obesity showed significant waist reduction after practicing Tai chi. Tai chi is an effective approach to reduce waist circumference in adults with central obesity, according to a randomized control trial published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Over the past few decades, obesity has become more common and prevalent and has become a global health concern. Physical activity is important in controlling obesity, which is often a result of metabolic disorders. However, data about the efficacy of Tai chi or conventional exercise in reducing waist circumference in adults with central obesity was not available. With this background, a team of researchers led by Dr. Parco M. Sui from the University of Hong-Kong, carried out a three-group randomized control trial to examine the therapeutic efficacy of tai chi for the management of central obesity.
The inclusion criteria was adults aged 50 years or older with central obesity. 543 participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to a control group with no exercise intervention (n = 181), conventional exercise consisting of aerobic exercise and strength training (EX group) (n = 181), and a tai chi group (TC group) (n = 181). Interventions lasted 12 weeks.
Outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 12, and week 38. The primary outcome was waist circumference (WC). Secondary outcomes were body weight; body mass index; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride, and fasting plasma glucose levels; blood pressure; and incidence of remission of central obesity.
The adjusted mean difference in WC from baseline to week 12 in the control group was 0.8 cm. Both intervention groups showed reductions in WC relative to control. Both intervention groups also showed reductions in body weight and attenuation of the decrease in HDL-C level relative to the control group. The favourable changes in WC and body weight were maintained in both the TC and EX groups, whereas the beneficial effect on HDL-C was only maintained in the TC group at week 38.
"Tai chi is an effective approach to reduce WC in adults with central obesity aged 50 years or older," the team of investigators concluded.
Reference:
Study titled, "Effects of Tai Chi or Conventional Exercise on Central Obesity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults," A Three-Group Randomized Controlled Trial," published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
DOI: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-7014
