Effectiveness of Combined Healthy Lifestyle Education and Yoga Therapy on Self-Reflection and Personal Insight in Overweight Adults at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Mojgan  Agahheris; Ezzatolah  Kordmirza Nikoozadeh; Maryam  Abdolkarimy Nazary; Afagh Saleh

doi:10.61838/

Authors

Mojgan Agahheris Associate Professor in Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Ezzatolah Kordmirza Nikoozadeh Professor in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Maryam Abdolkarimy Nazary Ph.D. student in Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Afagh Saleh * PhD student in Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran afagh_saleh@yahoo.com

https://doi.org/10.61838/

Keywords:

healthy lifestyle; yoga therapy; self-reflection; personal insight; overweight; diabetes risk

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of a combined healthy lifestyle education and yoga therapy program in improving self-reflection and personal insight among overweight adults at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a follow-up assessment and a non-intervention control group was used. Forty eligible adults attending health-related services in Tehran were selected through purposive sampling and randomly allocated to an experimental group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20). The experimental group participated in a structured 10-session weekly program integrating education on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, self-care, goal setting, and maintenance of healthy behavior with yoga postures, breathing exercises, relaxation, body awareness, mindfulness, and self-compassion practices. The control group received no intervention during the study period. Self-reflection and personal insight were measured with the Self-Reflection and Insight Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance. Significant time-by-group interactions were observed for self-reflection, personal insight, and the total score. In the experimental group, mean self-reflection increased from 39.65 at pretest to 53.40 at posttest, and mean personal insight increased from 24.80 to 34.60. These improvements remained largely stable at follow-up, whereas the control group showed no meaningful change. The interaction effect sizes were large for self-reflection (partial η² = .651), personal insight (partial η² = .616), and the total score (partial η² = .709). Pairwise comparisons confirmed significant improvements from pretest to posttest and from pretest to follow-up, with no significant decline between posttest and follow-up. The findings suggest that integrating lifestyle education with yoga-based mind–body practices may strengthen constructive self-observation and clearer understanding of health-related thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in overweight adults at elevated diabetes risk. Larger trials with active controls, longer follow-up periods, and objective metabolic outcomes are required.

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