Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise on the body weight

body mass index(BMI) and serum leptin content of patients with simple obesity

so as to evaluate the efficacy of the present therapy in the treatment of simple obesity.Methods A total of 61 cases of out-patients were randomly divided into control(n=30) and treatment(n=31) groups.Patients in the control group were treated with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise everyday(30min/d)

continuously for 51 days

and those of the treatment group were treated with acupuncture [Zhongwan(CV 12)

Tianshu(ST 25)

Guanyuan(CV 4)

etc.] plus dietary adjustment and aerobic exercise everyday

with 15 days being a course of treatment

3 days' interval between every two courses

and 3 courses altogether.Serum leptin content was detected by using radioimmunoassay.Results Compared with pre-treatment

the body weight and BMI and serum leptin levels in the control and treatment groups were all decreased significantly(P<0.01).Comparison between the two groups showed that the body weight at the end of the 1st and 3rd course of treatment

the BMI at the end of the 1st

2nd and 3rd course of treatment

and serum leptin level after the treatment in the treatment group were all significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05

P<0.01).The difference values of body weight and BMI between pre-treatment and post-treatment of the treatment group were obviously higher than those of the control group(P<0.01)

suggesting a better therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise in the treatment of simple obesity.Conclusion Acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise can reduce the body weight

BMI and serum leptin level

which is better than dietary adjustments plus aerobic exercise.