Role of Mind–Body Fitness in Obesity

Abstract

Various mind–body fitness modalities such as Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong have become an accepted part of the physical activity, exercise, and leisure sector, serving several populations eligible for meditative movement activities. However, no robust evidence is present in the current literature supporting the efficacy of these meditative movement activities on health, fitness, and well-being markers among obese adults. Interestingly, the feasibility and safety of mind–body fitness programs in this cohort are still questionable. However, the limited available data show the beneficial role of such alternative exercise options in improving numerous physical fitness and cardiometabolic health-related indicators. The major role of mind–body fitness in obese individuals is to promote muscle control, body functionality, flexibility, and balance while reducing physical limitations, chronic pain, and stress through sessions integrating body postures, efficient breathing patterns, meditation, and relaxation. Such a bodily movement-based approach may be associated with increased physical performance and improved cardiometabolic as well as mental health. However, data on anthropometric characteristics, body composition and cardiovascular disease risk factors modification are somewhat equivocal. Future studies are needed to investigate a wider spectrum of physical fitness and cardiometabolic health parameters, since obese people are likely to demonstrate poor functional capacity, impaired glucose control, lipid disorder, and abnormal blood pressure levels.