The current study was designed to test the efficacy of auricular
acupressure on
weight reduction and changes of waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. This study used a randomized design with one control group and one experimental group consisting of Asian young adults with a waist circumference ≥80 cm in the females and ≥90cm in the males. At completion of eight weeks of auricular
therapy, the total sample size was 55 young adults who ranged in age from 18 to 20 years old. Each participant was treated weekly for ear
acupressure in ten-minute sessions. Sessions continued for eight weeks wherein the control group received
acupressure only while the experimental group received
acupressure with the Japanese Magnetic Pearl on the ear
acupoints. While both the control and treatment groups showed significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) to
body weight and waist circumference after eight weeks of treatment, only the group treated with Japanese Magnetic Pearls showed decreased waist to hip ratio. Thus, auricular
acupressure may be a beneficial addition to weight loss programs for young adults. Auricular
acupressure is thus a reasonable option in the treatment of
overweight and
obesity in young adults.