Tai Chi May Fight Obesity, Depression

The Age
January 20, 2010
 

AAP

A Tai Chi-based exercise program is being hailed as a breakthrough in the fight against depression, diabetes and obesity.

University of Queensland scientist Dr Liu Xin, a renowned expert in the field of mind-body therapy, says an initial trial of the program has been extremely encouraging.

About 50 volunteers with depression and obesity issues took part in the three-month trial of the SMILE exercise regime.

The proportion of participants with clinical levels of depression dropped from 60 per cent to 20 per cent.

Participants also saw significant reductions in their body mass index and waist circumference.

A larger trial of some 200 volunteers is planned to further establish the program's benefits.

The larger trial has been funded by the National Heart Foundation and Beyondblue.

It's the second-largest grant provided under the National Heart Foundation and Beyondblue Cardiovascular Disease and Depression Strategic Research Program.

"Without involvement of any dietary intervention and high intensity training, it was very encouraging to see such impressive results over a short period of time," Dr Liu said.

In addition to the improvements in depression and obesity, participants also said they slept better, had more energy, higher self-esteem and improved confidence.

Participants regularly did Tai Chi – the main focus of the program – in conjunction with conventional Western exercises using the body's own weight as resistance.

Dr Liu, who designed the program, says its "gentle and enjoyable nature" is the secret to its success.

"It has to be gentle and easy to do and enjoyable to keep people going – and then it will be effective," he says.

With one in five Australians experiencing depression at some stage of their lives, Dr Liu says the program has great potential to ease suffering.

"If this … program can be further confirmed to have beneficial effects on indicators of depression, obesity and other risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases in the large trial, the findings can be translated into great social and economic benefit for public health," he says.

Anyone interested in joining the next trial can phone (07) 3240 6426 or email smileprogram@uq.edu.au.

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This article can be found on The Age website:  http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/tai-chi-may-fight-obesity-depression-20100121-mlzn.html