Objective To observe the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture intervention in weight reduction by modulating body compositions in obesity patients.Methods A total of 71 obesity patients during weight-loss procedure were allocated to acupuncture+nutrition-consultation group(n=40)and simple nutrition-consultation group(n=31).The patients of the acupuncture +nutrition-consultation group were treated by acupuncture stimulation of Zhongwan(CV 12)

Xiawan(CV 10)

Tianshu(ST 25)

Wailing(ST 26)

Qihai(CV 6)

Guanyuan(CV 4)

etc.for 30 min

once every other day

3times per week

12 times altogether

and also given with weekly nutrition consultation(including subjective query

objective measurement

analysis

program for nutrition support)at the same time.The patients of the simple nutrition-consultation group were treated by only weekly nutrition consultation for 4weeks.Before and after the treatment

the patients' body weight

body mass index(BMI)

fat mass

percentage of body fat

muscle mass

protein quality

water quality and bone mass were measured by using a composition analyzer.Results After 4weeks' treatment

the body mass

BMI

fat mass and fat percentage in both acupuncture+nutrition-consultation and simple nutrition-consultation groups were significantly decreased(P<0.01)

while the weight levels of muscle

protein

bone and water content had no apparent changes(P>0.05).The therapeutic effect of acupuncture+nutrition-consultation group was markedly superior to that of the simple nutrition-consultation group in increasing the improved degrees of body weight

BMI

fat mass and fat percentage(P<0.01).Conclusion Acupuncture plus nutrition consultation is effective in reducing body mass

fat mass and percentage of body fat in obesity patients.