Effects of Yoga and Diet modifications on Body Mass Index Among Middle Aged Women Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction - Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) - Pilot Study

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) formerly known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is potentially associated with obesity and increased Body Mass Index (BMI).BMI is a crucial indicator for evaluating obesity-related health risks, including MAFLD.An increased Body Mass Index (BMI) and visceral fat are significant risk factors for MAFLD and are commonly utilized as a non-invasive method to assess metabolic health and liver fat accumulation.Purpose: This pilot study sought to assess the effects of yoga, dietary changes, and their combined intervention on body mass index (BMI), highlighting their potential role in the prevention and management of MAFLD.Methods: A total of twenty-one (21) women aged between 40 and 50 were randomly divided into three groups: yoga only (n=7), diet only (n=7), and a combination of both yoga and diet (n=7).Body Mass Index (BMI) was evaluated before and after the intervention.The study was conducted for 8-week period with 6 days intervention each week.An ANCOVA was performed to determine differences among the groups, followed by Scheff's post-hoc test for pairwise comparisons.Results: The group that combined yoga with dietary changes experienced a notably larger decrease in BMI than those who practiced yoga alone or followed a diet alone (p < .05).There was no significant difference