Tai chi helps trim down waist circumference in adults

Doing tai chi can reduce waist circumference (WC) in adults with central obesity aged ≥50 years, suggests a recent study.

This randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial was conducted at a single research site in Hong Kong between 27 February 2016 and 28 February 2019. A total of 543 adults with central obesity were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of the following: a tai chi group (TC group; n=181), a conventional exercise consisting of aerobic exercise and strength training (EX group; n=181), or a control group with no exercise intervention (n=181). Interventions lasted for 12 weeks.

The investigators assessed outcomes at baseline, week 12, and week 38. WC was the primary outcome measure, while secondary ones included body weight, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride, and fasting plasma glucose levels, blood pressure, and incidence of remission of central obesity.

From baseline to week 12, the adjusted mean difference (AMD) in WC was 0.8 cm (95 percent confidence interval [CI], –4.1 to 5.7) in the control group.

Reductions in WC were noted in both intervention groups relative to control (TC group vs control: AMD, –1.8 cm, 95 percent CI, –2.3 to –1.4; p<0.001; EX group vs control: AMD, –1.3 cm, 95 percent CI, –1.8 to –0.9; p<0.001). In addition, participants in both intervention groups had a decrease in body weight (p<0.05) and a reduction in HDL-C level compared to those in the control group.

“The favourable changes in WC and body weight were maintained in both the TC and EX groups, whereas the beneficial effect on HDL-C was only maintained in the TC group at week 38,” the investigators said.

This study was limited by its high attrition and the absence of a dietary intervention.