Effects of Structured Yoga Practice on Dietary Habits, Physical Activity, and Health Indices in Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Background
The incorporation of yoga into higher education is gaining prominence due to its potential to promote both physical health and psychological well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a 12-week structured yoga program on anthropometric and physiological indicators, dietary patterns, levels of physical activity, and yoga-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among undergraduate students.

Methods
A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 178 undergraduate students, who were equally allocated to an intervention group (n = 89) and a wait-list control group (n = 89). Standardized and validated instruments were employed to assess anthropometric measurements, dietary behaviours, physical activity levels, and KAP at baseline and after the intervention.

Results
Participants in the intervention group exhibited significant improvements in dietary behaviour, notably a reduction in the consumption of processed foods (from 39.3% to 13.4%, p < 0.001) and an increase in the intake of fresh foods (p < 0.001). Physical activity patterns also improved, with a shift towards moderate to vigorous activity levels (p = 0.002). Statistically significant enhancements were noted in health information sources (p = 0.007), yoga-related knowledge (p < 0.001), and the perceived academic benefits of yoga practice (p < 0.001). Interest in continuing yoga practice rose markedly from 32.6% to 92.1% (p < 0.001). Physiological assessments indicated significant reductions in BMI (p = 0.019), resting heart rate (p = 0.005), and both systolic (p = 0.018) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.023). In contrast, the wait-list control group did not exhibit any significant changes across the measured parameters.

Conclusion
The structured 12-week yoga intervention led to significant improvements in students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to yoga, along with beneficial changes in lifestyle behaviours. Positive outcomes were also observed in key anthropometric and physiological indicators, including BMI, heart rate, and blood pressure. While the intervention successfully addressed several barriers to yoga practice, time limitations remained a challenge, emphasizing the importance of institutional initiatives to integrate yoga into academic settings.