A clinical study to evaluate the effect of specific diet, yogic practices, and ruksha udvartana on obesity (Sthaulya)

Introduction: Obesity is a complex disease with serious social and psychological dimensions, affecting almost all ages and socioeconomic groups and overwhelmingly developed and developing countries. The objective of this study is to compare the outcome of specific diet, yogic practices, and Ruksha Udvartana in the management of obesity (Sthaulya). Methods: A total of 75 obesity patients who met the proposed selection criteria were enrolled and randomly divided into three groups. After the prescribed interventions for total 3 months, changes in different subjective and objective parameters were assessed at three different follow-ups. Results: Results of the study showed that Udarparsvavrddhi (increased abdominal girth) was the most common symptom, 100% (n = 75) seen in patients, followed by Svedadhikya (Excessive sweating) 90.66% (n = 68) and Utsahahani (Lack of enthusiasm) 85.33% (n = 64). At 3rd follow-up, statistically significant results were seen in most of the subjective parameters. On intragroup comparison of objective parameters, statistically highly significant results were found in all three groups. Conclusion: This study reveals the beneficial effects of specific diet, yoga practices, and Ruksha Udvartana in controlling obesity (Sthaulya). These scientific evidence regarding indulgent mode of action of diet, yoga, and Ruksha Udvartana would help in worldwide acceptance of these cost-effective interventions in the management of obesity.