Research pick: Strike a pose for a health boost - "Integrating yoga and nutrition: a complementary therapy for addressing obesity in clinical practice"

A growing body of research is reframing yoga from a general wellness practice into a structured therapeutic intervention with measurable effects on obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the authors of a paper in the International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing. The evidence base is still developing, but numerous studies suggest that yoga can affect physiological and psychological health outcomes.

Obesity has been a major focus of recent research. Obesity is a metabolic condition defined by excessive fat accumulation that increases a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer. Unlike simple weight gain, obesity is understood as a complex interaction of diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and genetic susceptibility. It is becoming a major issue in public health around the world.

Intervention studies indicate that dietary improvement is key to reducing obesity, but when combined with yoga practice, it can be particularly beneficial. In programmes lasting six to twelve months, participants have experienced weight lost and improvements in cardiometabolic markers, including blood glucose regulation and cardiovascular function. Physical activity has repeatedly been shown to moderate the activity of two hormones, ghrelin, the hunger hormone and leptin, the satiety hormone. Yoga may well improve leptin sensitivity, boosting one’s fullness cues and so supporting longer-term weight regulation.

In the clinical literature, yoga is typically defined as a combination of physical postures, controlled breathing and meditation. Traditional systems such as Ashtanga yoga also incorporate ethical discipline and concentration, aligning with modern multidimensional approaches to health that integrate physical activity with stress management and behavioural change. Indeed, the psychological impact of yoga practice has been demonstrated in some studies to reduce anxiety, irritability, and depressive symptoms and to improve what we might term ’emotional stability’ and ‘perceived wellbeing’. Given that psychological stress is often a trigger for over-eating, yoga practice may well tackle obesity from the physical and psychological angles.

Chekatla, M.V., Bhaumik, A., Gousuddin, M. and Chekatla, V. (2025) ‘Integrating yoga and nutrition: a complementary therapy for addressing obesity in clinical practice’, Int. J. Sport Management and Marketing, Vol. 25, Nos. 2/3, pp.202–229.