ISSN (Print): 2328-3777, ISSN (Online): 2328-3785, ISSN (CD-ROM): 2328-3793 American International Journal of Research in Formal, Applied & Natural Sciences AIJRFANS 13-201; © 2013, AIJRFANS All Rights Reserved Page 1 AIJRFANS is a refereed, indexed, peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary and open access journal published by International Association of Scientific Innovation and Research (IASIR), USA (An Association Unifying the Sciences, Engineering, and Applied Research) Available online at http://www.iasir.net EFFECT OF SIDDHA SAMADHI YOGA CAMPS on HEALTH and NUTRITIONAL STATUS of NORMAL and OBESE SUBJECTS K. Sreedevi 1 G. Vani Bhushanam 2 and P. Baby Devaki 3 Lead interventionist, Behavioral Science Unit, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India 1 Research Associate, All India Coordinated Research Project on Home Science, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad 2 Head of the Department (Retd.), Faculty of Food Science & Nutrition, Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupathi 3 I. Introduction Degenerative diseases and cancer are emerging as major causes of death not only in India but in other South and Southeast Asian countries as well. If present trends continue, India could emerge as one of the countries with the highest concentration of cases of diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease (CHD) within the next three decades [1] . Obesity threatens to become the foremost cause of chronic disease in the world. Being obese can induce multiple metabolic abnormalities that contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and other chronic disorders. Reasons for the rising prevalence include urbanization of the world’s population, increased availability of food supplies, and reduction of physical activity [2] . Obesity is generally regarded as one of the most common and serious nutritional problems confronting many communities today. Adults in India suffer from a dual burden of malnutrition; more than one-third of adults are too thin, and more than 10 percent are overweight or obese [3] . Yogic exercises are getting popular all over the world, not only for health and physical fitness, but also for therapeutic purposes. Yogic training tends to reduce the cholesterol level which is significant in individuals having above normal limits [4] . Meditation reduces bodily stress which is evident with reduced blood levels of cortisol and a lowered rate of urinary excretion of nitrogen and may prove useful for persons suffering from anxiety state and depression [5] . Antioxidant deficiency and free radical stress may be a risk factor for the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is possible that treatment with antioxidant vitamins may be protective [6] . Now-a-days a new way of life comprising of yogasana, pranayama, meditation and changed food habits which is expected to lead a happy purposeful life with heightened consciousness and perceptiveness. One such yoga camp is Siddha Abstract : Yogasana, pranayama, meditation and changed food habits is perceived by many Indians to lead a happy purposeful life with heightened consciousness. Siddha Samadhi Yoga (SSY) camp, a10 day package is believed to be one such effort to invoke the intellectual, emotional, mental and physical potential in each individual. This paper examines the effect of Siddha Samadhi Yoga (SSY) camps on normal and obese subjects. Thirty normal and thirty obese male subjects in the age group of 25 to 45 years free from additional complications were selected from two camps conducted in Mahaboobnagar and Tirupathi. The BMI of all subjects was assessed and Diet Survey conducted. Blood samples were analyzed for post prandial blood glucose; serum cholesterol; serum iron and hemoglobin levels. A significant difference in pre and post prandial blood glucose level of Normal subjects (t = 4.9811 > 2.05) and Obese (t = 7.6582 > 2.05) was observed. The percent reduction in BMI was 4.2 and 4.1 in normal and obese subjects respectively. Serum cholesterol levels among obese reduced by 3.4% and by 2.9% in normal subjects. A significant difference in pre and post serum iron level of Normal subjects (t = 12.881> 2.05) and Obese (t = 11.354 > 2.05) was observed. Hemoglobin levels improved by 12.27% and 14.71% respectively in normal and obese subjects. Keywords: Yoga, normal, obese, cholesterol, hemoglobin, post prandial blood glucose