Effect of Yoga on Mental Stress, Lipid Profile, and BMI in Wives of BSF Personnel

ABSTRACT

Background:

To investigate the effects of a one-month yoga protocol on perceived stress, lipid profile, and body mass index (BMI) in wives of Border Security Force personnel in India.

Methodology:

Pre–post-interventional study with 200 female participants. Participants followed a 60-min daily yoga routine for one month, including asanas, pranayama, and meditation. Measurements were taken before and after the intervention, including the perceived stress scale, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS), BMI, and cardiovascular parameters. Statistical analysis used the Shapiro–Wilk test for normality. As data was non-normally distributed, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test assessed changes after one month. P < 0.05 was significant. Effect sizes were calculated using rank-biserial correlation.

Results:

The study found significant improvements. Perceived Stress Scale scores dropped by 60.73%, showing major stress relief. Lipid levels improved, with high-density lipoprotein rising by 2.53%, low-density lipoprotein dropping by 9.01%, and total cholesterol decreasing by 2.46%. Cardiovascular health benefited as systolic blood pressure fell by 5.09% and pulse rate by 1.91%. FBS dropped by 2.29%, while BMI showed a slight 0.54% reduction. Effect sizes varied from small to very large, with most parameters showing medium to large effects. Statistical significance (P < 0.05) was noted for most measures.

Conclusion:

The yoga intervention effectively improved stress levels, lipid profiles, and cardiovascular parameters, with varying impacts on other physiological markers. The study suggests yoga can enhance physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness by reducing stress and improving health parameters. Limitations in generalizing results were noted due to the short study duration.

INTRODUCTION

Since ancient times, yoga has been intrinsic to our culture, with benefits documented in ancient texts.[1] Recently, yoga’s health benefits have attracted scientific interest from the West, prompting research on its effectiveness across diverse outcomes, including mental health, serum biomarkers, and cardiovascular risk factors.[2]

Border Security Force (BSF), India’s first line of defense, guards the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. While personnel serve at the front their families stay in battalions and sectors. The BSF Wives Welfare Association (BWWA) supports these women in their spouse’s absence. Living under constant stress, they juggle single-parent responsibilities, learn new skills, and worry about their husband’s safety.[3] These challenges increase stress and lead to neglected personal health. Studies emphasize family dynamics’ impact on the deployed member’s psychological well-being and organizational effectiveness. Thus, prioritizing military families’ well-being is crucial for successful military operations.[4]

Yoga has shown efficacy in mitigating psychological risk factors linked to cardiovascular diseases, notably stress and depression. As a regimen involving physical exercise, respiratory techniques, and relaxation, yoga positively affects biological risk factors pertinent to cardiovascular health.[5,6,7] Yoga will be a useful tool to reduce mental stress and improve cardiovascular system health, particularly for females of the BWWA.

This study aimed to systematically assess and analyze the effects of yoga on stress levels (using the Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]),[8] serum biomarkers such as cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides, along with basic anthropometric measurements after a month of following the Common Ayush Yoga Protocol among the spouses of BSF personnel stationed at the Punjab frontier, specifically members of the BWWA.[9]

METHODOLOGY

This pre–post-intervention study explored how a one-month yoga program influenced perceived stress, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS), body mass index (BMI), and cardiovascular parameters in 200 wives of BSF personnel. Women aged 20–60 with no chronic illnesses were chosen by convenient sampling. They were briefed on yoga’s health benefits and gave written consent, and those who declined were excluded. Institutional ethics committee (letter no. 57/23, dated July 22, 2023) approval was taken.

Each participant had a medical check and provided fasting blood samples for hemoglobin, FBS, and lipid profile. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured with an Omron device. Height and weight were taken to calculate BMI as kg/m². PSS was evaluated using a validated 10-question form.[10]

Common Ayush Yoga Protocol

All 200 participants followed a yoga plan by the Ministry of AYUSH.[11] It included daily 60-min sessions with warm-ups, asanas, pranayama, meditation, and yoga Nidra led by a certified instructor. The program combined physical exercises, breathing techniques, and relaxation.

After one month, FBS, lipid profile, BP, pulse, BMI, and PSS scores were reassessed. Data was organized in Excel and analyzed in R software. The Chi-square test compared the two groups. The Shapiro–Wilk test checked normality. Since data was not normal the Wilcoxon signed-rank test measured changes. Mean ± standard deviation was reported. P <0.05 was significant. Rank-Biserial correlation estimated effect size.

RESULTS

One month of yoga intervention shows statistically significant changes in BMI (26.88 ± 6.50 to 26.74 ± 6.61 kg/m²; effect size: 0.875, P = 0.003), pulse rate (79.82 ± 8.72 to 78.29 ± 8.06 beats/min; effect size: 0.609, P = 0.001), and systolic BP (124.77 ± 71.82 to 118.41 ± 10.09 mmHg; effect size: 0.503, P = 0.001). Yoga training significantly influences changes in FBS (89.05 ± 23.45 to 87.01 ± 22.67 mg/dL; effect size: 0.185, P = 0.001), cholesterol (173.16 ± 35.64 to 168.90 ± 31.50 mg/dL; effect size: 0.157, P = 0.001), HDL (44.14 ± 5.32 to 45.25 ± 5.99 mg/dL; effect size: 0.868, P = 0.001), LDL (107.87 ± 37.07 to 98.15 ± 30.58 mg/dL; effect size: 0.133, P = 0.001), and triglyceride level (111.34 ± 36.04 to 113.06 ± 38.72 mg/dL; effect size: 0.414, P = 0.011). PSS score (20.44 ± 9.53 to 8.03 ± 7.49; effect size: −0.538, P < 0.001) also shows statistically significant changes after one month of yoga intervention [Table 1].

Table 1.

Comparison of anthropometric, cardiovascular, blood parameters, and perceived stress scale before and after yoga intervention

Parameters	Pre yoga	Post yoga	P	Effect size
BMI	26.88±6.5	26.74±6.61	0.002	0.875
Pulse	79.82±8.72	78.29±8.06	<0.01	0.609
Systolic BP	124.77±11.82	118.41±10.09	0.0001	0.503
Diastolic BP	76.94±8.54	76.79±9.94	0.963	0.86
Hemoglobin	11.39±1.2	11.43±1.18	0.138	0.858
FBS	89.05±23.45	87.01±22.67	<0.01	0.185
Cholesterol	173.16±35.64	168.9±31.5	<0.01	0.157
HDL	44.14±5.32	45.25±5.99	<0.01	0.868
LDL	107.87±37.07	98.15±30.58	<0.01	0.133
VLDL	21.62±9.3	20.82±6.41	0.661	0.774
Triglycerides	111.34±36.04	113.06±38.72	0.011	0.414
PSS score	20.44±9.53	8.03±7.49	<0.01	−0.538

BMI=Body mass index, PSS=Perceived Stress Scale, HDL=High-density lipoprotein, LDL=Low-density lipoprotein, VLDL=Very low-density lipoprotein, FBS=Fasting blood sugar, BP=Blood pressure

DISCUSSION

This study examined how a structured yoga program affected health and stress levels in BWWA women. Results showed major improvements. The biggest shift was in PSS scores which dropped by 60.73%, proving yoga’s strong impact on stress and mental well-being. HDL rose by 2.53% while LDL fell by 9.01%. Total cholesterol saw a slight 2.46% decrease.

VLDL showed a large effect size (0.774) but was not statistically significant (P = 0.661) indicating varied individual response levels rose slightly by 3.87%. Triglycerides increased by 1.54%. Systolic BP dropped by 5.09% while diastolic BP saw a minor 0.20% decline (76.94 ± 8.54 to 76.79 ± 7.94 mmHg; effect size: 0.860, P = 0.963). The pulse rate fell significantly by 1.91%. Metabolic markers showed mixed results. FBS dropped by 2.29%, BMI reduced by 0.54%, and hemoglobin stayed stable with a slight 0.36% rise (11.39 ± 1.20 to 11.43 ± 1.18 g/dL; effect size: 0.858, P = 0.138). Overall yoga effectively improved stress, lipid profiles, and cardiovascular health, with variable effects on other markers.

Numerous Indian and international studies have proven yoga highly effective in reducing BP.[12,13,14] Several studies confirm yoga training significantly increases HDL and decreases LDL across age groups.[13,14,15] The effectiveness of yoga as a stress reduction tool should be considered. The study found statistically significant differences in perceived stress levels. Raising awareness of body tension and learning to reduce it may increase self-confidence by promoting personal control. Developing concentration and meditation could also facilitate self-control and self-efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness will be increased by yoga. Yoga, pranayama, and meditation can reduce stress, and the serum biomarkers and other parameters will also help in reducing the stress which will also bring peace and tranquillity of mind and create a sense of well-being so that the subjects will be able to handle the responsibilities.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding Statement

Nil.