[Effects of acupuncture on waist circumference and body mass index in females of obesity of different types].

OBJECTIVE: To observe slimming effect of acupuncture for females of obesity of different types, and search for the best indication of acupuncture. METHODS: Eighty-three cases were divided into two groups: an abdominal obesity group (n = 31) with exceeding standard waist circumference (WC) and Body mass index (BMI)< 25, and an obesity group (n = 52) of simple obesity (BMI>25). They were treated by same acupuncture therapy for one month. RESULTS: BMI, WC and the ratio of WC to hip circumference (WHR) lowered in the two groups with very significant differences as compared with those before treatment (P<0.01 or P<0.05). In the abdominal obesity group, changes of WC and WHR were positively correlated to changes of BMI (P<0.01 or P<0.05). In the obesity group, WC was positively correlated to BMI (P<0.01) and WHR was not significantly correlated to BMI (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture has very good effects of slimming and reducing the waist circumference for the female of abdominal obesity with exceeding standard WC, or the patient of simple obesity, and it is suitable to obesity of different types.