In the viewpoint of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the authors consider that simple obesity is not a disease, which does not fit to be treated according to the models of diagnosis and treatment in TCM. Considering its cause, pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation, principles and methods of treatment, as well as experimental study, etc. , the authors point out that the true effects of acupuncture on weight-loss should be investigated alone and avoid the influence of diet and exercise. Until now, what we have done on the acupuncture for treatment of simple obesity is not sufficient to verify the direct effects of acupuncture for weight-loss. The correct way for weight-loss is health care including dietary regime and regular life schedule. Comparatively, the treatment as the main choice for weight-loss is not recommended.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Humans ; Obesity ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Weight Loss

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effect of an obesity management program on the body weight, body-mass index, and physiological index of obese female high school students. METHOD: Students from one school were selected as the experimental group, and students from another school as a control group so the latter group wasn't exposed to the experiment. The experimental group and the control group were each organized with 20 students. The experimental group received 60 minutes of behavior modification once a week, for eight weeks. RESULT: The Body weight, and Body mass-Index of the experimental group significantly decreased after the obesity management program. Total-cholesterol, T-G, and LDL-C significantly decreased and HDL-C increased in the experimental group. Total-cholesterol, T-G, LDL-C and HDL-C between the experimental group and control group showed significant differences. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the obesity management program had a great effect on decreasing the body weight and body-mass index of the female obese high school students, normalizing their physiological index. In conclusion, this program turned out to be one of the safest and most effective obesity-management methods that could be applied to female high school students.
Adolescent ; *Behavior Therapy ; *Body Mass Index ; *Body Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Lipids/*blood ; Obesity/physiopathology/*therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare the curative effects of simple obesity of spleen deficiency and dampness excess treated by hour-prescription of points and routine acupuncture therapy.

METHODSSixty cases were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group; Taibai (SP 3), Gongsun (SP 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Fujie (SP 14) and Daheng (SP 15) were applied in both groups. Hour-prescription of points (the acupoints of Spleen Meridian were selected at the period of the day from 10:04 a.m. to 12:04 a.m. when the Spleen Meridian is most energetic at Chengdu) was applied in observation group, and routine acupuncture was applied in control group (acupoints weren't selected at 10:04 a.m. to 12:04 a.m.). Once a day, and 10 days of treatment made one session, totally 3 sessions were required.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 86.2% (25/29) in observation group, and 75.9% (22/29) in control group. The total effect in observation group was superior to that in control group (P < 0.05). The observation group was better than the control group in reduction of weight, body mass index, obesity degree, awaist circumference and the ratio between waist and hip with significant differences between two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of obesity of spleen deficiency and dampness excess treated by hour-prescription of points therapy is superior to that by routine acupuncture therapy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Obesity ; therapy ; Spleen ; physiopathology

To explore the mechanism of acupoint embedding for obesity based on the western pathological mechanism of chronic low inflammatory response inducing the imbalance between"promoting inflammation"and"anti-inflammation"in immune reaction, and the pathological nature of deficient healthy and state of evil domination in the TCM theory induced by the"stagnation heat, phlegm heat, dampness heat, stasis heat"on the basis of deficiency. The mechanism may be improving the secretory disorder of adipose tissue and metabolic inflammatory response by the enhanced anti-inflammatory phagocytosis clearance ability in the immune system which is caused by the new inflammatory reaction under the stimulation of innate immune response pattern. The model of"inhibiting chronic low inflammation reaction through the innate immunity"may be an important mechanism of acupoint embedding for obesity.
Acupuncture Points ; Adipose Tissue ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Inflammation ; therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Obesity ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences of clinical effects in female patients with obesity and hyperlipidemia of yang deficiency of spleen and kidney syndrome between warm acupuncture combined with auricular acupuncture and simple warm acupuncture.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 65 cases in each one. In the control group, acupuncture was used at Pishu (BL 20), Zhongwan(CV 12), Shenshu(BL 23), Zhongji(CV 3), Guanyuan(CV 4), Mingmen(GV 4), Taibai(SP 3), Fenglong(ST 40), etc.; warm acupuncture was applied at Pishu(BL 20), Zhongwan(CV 12), Shenshu(BL 23) and Zhongji(CV 3); the treatment was required once every two days and for 3 months continuously. In the observation group, based on the treatment in the control group, thumbtack intradermal needles were embedded at auricular points, including pi(CO13), shen(CO10), pangguang(CO9), sanjiao(CO17), neifenmi(CO18), neishengzhiqi(TF2), etc. Obesity indices [body mass(W), obesity degree(A), body mass index(BMI), body fat percentage(F%)] blood lipid indices [serum total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein(HDL-C)] and clinical efficacy were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. Results After treatment in the two groups, the obesity indices of W, A, BMI, F% and the blood lipid levels of TC, TG, LDL-C were obviously decreased compared with those before treatment (all P<0. 01) and the HDL-C levels were apparently increased than those before treatment (both P<0. 01). After treatment, the improvement of TC and HDL-C in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (both P<0. 01). The difference was not statistically significant in the aspect of improving every obesity index between two groups (all P>. 05). The comprehensive total effective rate of the observation group was 95.4% (62/65), which was better than 84. 6% (55/65) of the control group (P<0. 001).

CONCLUSIONWarm acupuncture combined with auricular acupuncture and simple warm acupuncture can both benignly adjust abnormal lipid metabolism of obesity patients with hyperlipidemia, and warm acupuncture combined with auricular acupuncture are superior to simple warm acupuncture treatment on antiobesity action and improving the TC and HDL-C levels.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adult ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Spleen ; physiopathology ; Triglycerides ; metabolism ; Yang Deficiency ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of acupuncture on sebum thickness and the characteristic in the female obese patient of different types.

METHODSNinety-eight female obese patients were divided into 2 groups: an abdominal obesity group (n = 40) and an obesity group (n = 58). All of the patients in the two groups were treated by acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Chengman (ST 20), Tianshu (ST 25), Shuidao (ST 28), Qihai (CV 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. with electric stimulation, and in combination with ear point taping and pressing, for one month. Body weight index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), the sebum thickness of the upper limb (point A: at the inferior border of the right deltoid muscle and the midpoint of the lateral of arm), the trunk (point B: the inferior angle of right scapula) and the abdomen (point C: 3 cm right lateral to the navel; point D: the right anterior superior iliac) were observed and compared before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSThere were significant differences before and after treatment in BMI, WC and the sebum thickness of points A, B, C and D in the two groups (P < 0.01), and the sebum thickness in the point C significantly changed as compared with those in other 3 points (P < 0.05) in the two groups. In the abdominal obesity group, change of BMI was very significantly positively correlated with changes of WC and sebum thickness in the point C, and significantly positively correlated to point A (P < 0.05), with the correlated coefficient [r(WC/BMI)] > [ r(C/BMI)] > [r(A/BMI); change of WC was very significantly positively correlated to point C (P < 0.01). In the obesity group, the change of BMI was very significantly positively correlated to WC (P < 0.01) and significantly positively correlated to the sebum thickness's change of point B (P < 0.05), while WC change was very significantly positively correlated to point B and C (P < 0.01) and significantly positively to point D (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can effectively reduce the body weight, WC and subcutaneous fat in various parts of the body and selectively reduce the over fat of different places in both the obesity patient and the abdominal fat patient with exceeding standard of WC.

Acupuncture ; Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Obesity ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Sebum ; chemistry ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical effect differences between electric-heat needle combined with acupoint sticking therapy and oral administration of western medicine for treatment of simple obesity of spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation type.

METHODSThe electric-heat needle combined with acupoint sticking therapy group (n=80) was treated with acupuncture at Daimai (GB 26), Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. and acupoint sticking therapy at Shenque (CV 8), Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), etc., and the western medicine group (n=41) was treated with oral administration of Sibutramine Hydrochloride capsules. The therapeutic effects were observed after 4 weeks of treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 97.5% (78/80) in the electric-heat needle combined with acupoint sticking therapy group and 70.7% (29/41) in the western medicine group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectric-heat needle combined with acupoint stic-king therapy has better therapeutic effect on simple obesity of spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation type than that of oral administration of Sibutramine Hydrochloride capsules.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Cyclobutanes ; therapeutic use ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Spleen ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in effectiveness between the catgut implantation and Fenofibrate for obesity hypertriglyceridemia.

METHODSSeventy-four patients were randomized divided into a catgut implantation group (36 cases) and a medicine group (38 cases). The catgut implantation treatment was applied at the acupoint of Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Zhongwan (CV 12), Liangmen (ST 21), Tianshu (ST 25), Quchi (LI 11), Fujie (SP 14), Shangjuxu (ST 37) in catgut implantation group. The treatment of Fenofibrate was used in medicine group. Both treatments last for eight weeks. The level of triglyceride (TG) and the weight were examined in both groups before and after receiving the treatments.

RESULTSThe change value of TG was(1.12 +/- 0.65) mmol/L in catgut implantation group, (1.18 +/- 0.62) mmol/L in medicine group,there was no significant difference between two groups. The weight was (73.1 +/- 6.6) kg in catgut implantation group which was significantly lower than (76.2 +/- 8.6) kg in medicine group (P < 0.01) after treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe effectiveness is comparable in improving the level of hypertriglyceridemia between two groups. The catgut implantation treatment has apparent effect in weight loss; and it is a sound treatment for obesity hypertriglyceridemia.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Catgut ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Weight Loss ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the interventional effect of electroacupuncture combined with catgut implantation at acupoints for treatment of simple obesity of heart and spleen deficiency type.

METHODSSixty five cases were randomly divided into an observation group (33 cases) and a control group (32 cases). The observation group was treated with electroacupuncture combined with catgut implantation at acupoint therapy, the electroacupuncture was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Guanyuan (CV 4), Tianshu (ST 25), ect. and catgut implantation was given at Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), etc. The control group was treated with electroacupuncture only. The body weight, body mass index (BMI), waistline, waist hip ratio (WHR), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD, 17 items) were evaluated before and after treatment, and these were also compared with those of 35 nomal cases.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 93.9% in the observation group was higher than that of 84.4% in the control group (P < 0.05); the body weight, BMI, waistline, WHR, PSQI, HAMD and HAMA of simple obesity cases were obviously higher than those of normal cases (all P < 0.05). The scores of above indexes were all obviously decreased in both groups after treatment (all P < 0.05), and the improvement was more significant in observation group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe sleep quality reduction and mental and psychology disorder exist in simple obesity patients, and electroacupuncture combined with catgut implantation at acupoints can reduce weight effectively, and at the same time improve the sleep quality and regulate psychological state.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Catgut ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; physiopathology ; psychology ; surgery ; therapy ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Spleen ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of obesity on response to therapy and pulmonary function in children with asthma who receive inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment.

METHODSA total of 129 children with asthma were divided into two groups according to their body mass index: normal weight group (n=64) and obese group (n=65). The asthma control status and pulmonary function were compared between the two groups after one year of ICS treatment. The pulmonary function was expressed as percent forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%), percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%), peak expiratory flow (PEF), peak expiratory flow at 25% of vital capacity (PEF25), and peak expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (PEF50). The asthma control status was expressed as complete control rate, partial control rate, and uncontrolled rate. Sixty-eight healthy children were selected as the healthy control group.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in the indices of pulmonary function between the three groups before treatment (P<0.01); the healthy control group had the best values of pulmonary function, while the obese group had the worst values. After 1 year of treatment, the normal weight group showed significantly more improvements in FEV1% and FVC% than the obese group (P<0.01). However, there were no significant differences in improvements in PEF, PEF25, and PEF50 between the two groups. The complete control rate, partial control rate, and uncontrolled rate in the normal weight group were 72%, 19%, and 9%, respectively, while the rates in the obese group were 28%, 51%, and 22%, respectively; the normal weight group had a significantly better asthma control status than the obese group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe asthmatic children with obesity have a significantly less improvement in large airway function and a poorer asthma control status after ICS treatment than those with the normal weight.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Obesity ; physiopathology