199350 Effect of Practicing YXQ on Weight Loss – An Evidence-Based Study

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 9:30 AM

Xin Yan, MD , The Institute of Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicinec, c/o New Medical Science Research Institute, New York, NY
Hua Shen , New Medical Science Research Institute, New York, NY
Yuhong Yang, PhD , School of Statistics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Hsiaowen C. Huang , Harvard University, Boston, MA
Jianyuan Wang , Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Chestnut Hill, MA
Shuyi Hua , Qwest Communications International, Inc, Superior, CO
Saling Huang , KAI Pharmaceuticals, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Peihua Ni , New England Traditional Chinese Medical & Health Culture Study Institute, Avon, CT
Jun Wang, PhD , New Medical Science Research Institute, New York, NY
Chunling Lu, PhD , Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Introduction: Qigong is an important component of Traditional Chinese Medicine and traditional Chinese technologies to promoting and preserving health and wellness. It is widely used in medicine and in promoting health and wellness under official administration by the Chinese government. Yan Xin Qigong (YXQ) was recommended to the public as a safe and effective Qigong method in 1998 by the agencies of the Chinese government. The effects of YXQ on promoting health at the individual level, including reducing overweight and obesity, and treating diseases have been well documented and covered by mass media. More than one hundred papers about YXQ have been published in peer-reviewed journals (such as the International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology) or featured at international academic conferences to explore the mechanism of its effect.

Purpose: Using survey data collected from YXQ practitioners in North America, we conduct a systematic and quantitative analysis on the effect of YXQ on reducing weight among the sampled population and by subgroups (e.g. males and females).

Method: The 1998 and 2001 surveys collected self-reported information from YXQ practitioners on their health status, socio-demographic characteristics, dietary behavior, weight, and height. A descriptive analysis about the weight loss before and after practicing YXQ is provided. A logit model is fitted to identify YXQ's effect.

Results: YXQ practitioners have reduced their weight significantly. The weight loss is positively associated with the length of practicing time.

Conclusion: YXQ has great potential in improving weight among its practitioners. The results are consistent with previous studies.

Learning Objectives:
- Describe the association between YXQ practicing and weight loss. - Evaluate the effect of YXQ on weight loss.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Weight Management

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Professor in Statistics
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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