Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: June | Volume: 6 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 18-29
A Study of Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Perceived Stress and Markers of Obesity in Young Adult Urban Females
Dr. Arunima Chaudhuri
Associate Professor Department of Physiology, Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital (Affiliated to West Bengal University of Health Sciences), Rampurhat, West Bengal, India.
ABSTRACT
Background: Asian Indians are considered as “high-risk population” for both metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.
Aims: To study of effect of progressive muscle relaxation on perceived stress and markers of obesity in young adult urban females.
Materials and methods: The present study was conducted in Burdwan Medical college after taking institutional ethical clearance and informed consent of the subjects. Two hundred healthy females in the reproductive age group were divided into two Groups according to PSLES score: Group A having PSLES scores more than 200 and Group B having PSLES scores between 41-200. Stress level in the subjects was assessed according to the Presumptive stressful life event scale (PSLES). The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) of Sheldon Cohen was used to measure perceived stress scores. Body mass index and waist/ hip ratio of the subjects were measured. They were given a training of progressive muscle relaxation for 3 months and the parameters were re-evaluated.
Results: There was no difference in age and dietary habits between the two groups. Group A Age: 22.54±3.2; Group B Age: 22.22±3.23; P value: 0.489. There was significant difference in PSLES scores between the two groups. Group A PSLES: 314.25 ±28.29; Group B PSLES: 114.94±4.83; P value: <0.0001. There was significant difference in PSS, BMI and W/H ratio between the two groups before PMR training with Group A having significantly higher values of all parameters. Significant difference in PSS, BMI and W/H ratio between the two groups was also observed following PMR training with Group A having significantly higher values of all parameters. There was significant difference in PSS, BMI and W/H ratio in group A before and after practice of PMR. There was significant difference in PSS, BMI in Group B groups before and after PMR training but no significant difference in W/H ratio was observed. PSS and BMI significantly decreased in both groups following PMR training, while W/H ratio only decreased in group A i. e. subjects with higher stress following PMR training.
Conclusions: Perceived stress may cause an increase in body mass index and waist/ hip ratio and stress management programmes like PMR may help in improving the markers of obesity by decreasing perceived stress levels.
Key words: Perceived stress, BMI, W/H ratio.
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