Impact of Yoga on Exercise and Blood Pressure in Adolescents

Abstract

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com BackgroundAdolescents with high body mass index (BMI) are at increased risk for future development of obesity-related diseases as adults [1]. Overweight in children and adolescents can result in a variety of adverse health outcomes, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and the metabolic syndrome [2]. These problems present an urgent public health issue reflecting the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Increased overweight and obesity in youth are a major contributor to pediatric hypertension [3]. Higher BMI has been associated with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) levels, indicating the importance of incorporating strategies for promoting educational programs on healthy lifestyles to prevent hypertension in adolescents [4]. There is a paucity of clinical trial evidence in this population, and development of prevention interventions for adolescents is a priority at the National Institutes of Health. Implementation of school-based primary prevention programs may over time help reduce the burden of obesity and the physiological/psychological burden associated with cardiovascular disease.Yoga has become popular as a school-based approach [5]. Previous studies [6] have been limited by lack of objective measurement and randomization, factors which may be limited in generalizability and acceptance. Schools present a lucrative opportunity for yoga intervention programs [7], and schools can implement changes that affect physical education and the acceptability of healthy behaviors. Results suggest that schoolbased yoga programs may be appropriate for promoting healthy behaviors [8]. However, conclusions regarding efficacy of schoolbased obesity prevention programs are limited [9]. Although some school-based interventions have reported effects on overweight or obesity [10][11][12], most, particularly those involving large cohorts [13,14], have not [15], and several short-term, school-based programs had little effect on BMI [16,17]. Schoolbased prevention programs have been shown to be feasible, acceptable, and desirable for improving students' health status [18], and improving school-related behavior [19].Yoga techniques to restore and maintain health, and to bring balance to the mind as well as the body, dates back as far as AbstractBackground: Adolescents with elevated body mass index (BMI) are at increased risk for future development of obesity-related diseases as adults. The applications of stress reduction programs such as yoga, especially for youth, are few. This study tested the impact of yoga, (yoga stretching and postures, meditation, alternate nostril breathing) delivered in a high school setting. The objective was to determine the impact of yoga on exercise habits and blood pressure (BP) among a population of overweight adolescents.

The impact of yoga on stress, metabolic parameters, and cognition of Indian adolescents: A cluster randomized controlled trial

“…Supportive results were reported by Barnes et al. 19 wherein the yoga decreased systolic (4 mmHg) and diastolic (2 mmHg) blood pressure in school participants.…”

Development of A Mobile Application in Yoga Therapy for Elderly with Hypertension

“…This hormone can function as an endogenous sedative produced by the brain [5]. It promotes relaxation and increases endorphin levels in the body, helping to lower high blood pressure [6,7].…”