People in Leicester are invited to take part in a study to discover whether yoga and light walking can be used effectively in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
NIHRCLAHRC East Midlands, a regional health research organisation tasked with speeding up the adoption of science to the frontline of the NHS, has organised a number of sessions to discover if low intensity exercise, favoured by members of South Asian communities, is an effective way of improving your health.
Professor Kamlesh Khunti, Director of the NIHR CLAHRC East Midlands, Professor Tom Yates and Dr Natalie Darko, Academic Lead for the Centre of Black and Minority Ethnic Health East Midlands are supervising Mr Cameron Razieh’s research.
Participants will be asked to take part in one session of yoga and one session of light intensity walking in a series of visits to Leicester Diabetes Centre at Leicester General Hospital.
Speaking ahead of International Yoga Day (Friday, 21 June), yoga expert, Dr Natalie Darko, said: “Research has shown that individuals from South Asian descent have an elevated risk of certain chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“The risk of developing these diseases can be reduced by engaging in a healthy lifestyle. One component of a healthy lifestyle is engaging in physical activity, however, previous research from our team has shown that, for whatever reason, people from South Asian communities engage in less physical activity compared to other ethnic groups.”
Research carried out by the team identified yoga and walking as the most culturally appropriate forms of activity by members of the South Asian Community.
Dr Darko added: “We want to find out if alternative forms of physical activity, as chosen by South Asian communities, are as effective as traditional forms of physical activity in improving your health. This study will test and compare whether yoga and light intensity walking can be effectively used in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.”
The study is being run by a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians and researchers with a specific interest in helping individuals engage in a healthier lifestyle. It will involve six visits to the Leicester Diabetes Centre.
Professor Yates, a Professor of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Health, said: “It is important to increase the range of evidence-based physical activity programmes used for the prevention and management of chronic disease in different populations. Yoga has great potential to improve how the body processes and stores the sugar and fat we eat, whilst also improving how people feel.”
For more information and to register to take part contact the study team on 0116 258 8574 or email yogastudy@leicester.ac.uk
NIHRCLAHRC East Midlands is collaboration of the NHS, universities, patients and industry, which sets out to improve patient outcomes by conducting research of local relevance and international quality.