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Objective: To compare the effects of electroacupuncture and sit-up exercise on reducing body weight (BW) and waist circumference (WC) among obese women.

Methods: A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted from July 1, 2002, to June 30, 2003, in the outpatient department of Taipei Hospital, Taiwan. The subjects were 72 obese women, with WC > 90 cm and body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m² and who had not received any other weight control maneuver within the prior 3 months. The subjects were randomly divided into groups A, B, and C. Group A (n = 22) received electroacupuncture, group B (n = 20) was assigned sit-up exercises, and group C (n = 21) received no intervention. All three treatments lasted for 6 weeks. The measurements of BW, BMI, and WC were performed in the beginning and after 6 weeks. The data were compared and expressed as percent reductions.

Results: Electroacupuncture showed significantly greater percent reductions in BW (p = 0.009, 0.004), BMI (p = 0.008, 0.016), and WC (p = 0.013, 0.006) compared with sit-up exercises or no intervention.

Conclusions: In this pilot study, electroacupuncture treatment was more effective than situp exercise or no intervention in reducing BW, BMI, and WC.