Hormonal
An 8-week stress management program comprising diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided visualization significantly enhances weight loss (BMI reduction) and improves mental health outcomes in adults with obesity compared to standard lifestyle instructions alone.
If you are struggling with obesity, adding a structured stress management routine to your standard diet and exercise plan may yield better weight loss results than diet and exercise alone. The study used an 8-week program involving breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and visualization, practiced weekly with home reinforcement. This approach targets the hormonal and behavioral links between stress and weight gain, such as cortisol-driven abdominal fat storage and emotional eating.
Participants in the intervention group achieved a significantly larger reduction in BMI compared to the control group (ΔBMI −3.1 vs. −1.74 kg/m 2 respectively, P<0.001). In addition, they displayed ameliorated depression and anxiety scores and a reduction in the health locus of control based on chance.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with a small sample size (n=45) and baseline imbalances, limiting generalizability.
Source
Obesity Management in Adults
Arielle Elmaleh-Sachs et al. · JAMA · 2023
DOI 10.1001/jama.2023.19897
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