body mass index; obesity; waist circumference; posture; posturography; controlled weight loss programme

Objective: Obesity is a multifactorial disease. This non-infectious epidemic has reached pandemic proportions in the 21 century. Posture is a dynamic process referring to an active maintenance of body movement segments against the action of external forces. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of comprehensive group therapy for obese persons on selected anthropometric and postural parameters. Methods: The study comprised 53 females with a mean age of 44.5 years (range 29-65 years, standard deviation 9.42 years, median 44 years), who completed a controlled weight loss programme. At the beginning and at the end of the programme, anthropometric parameters (Body Mass Index (BMI), weight and waist circumference) were measured and the posturography tests Limits of Stability (LOS) and Motor Control Test (MCT) were performed using the NeuroCom's SMART EquiTest system. The data were statistically analyzed using R software at a level of significance of 0.05. Results: There were positive changes after the controlled weight loss programme in anthropometric parameters (BMI reduction, with p < 0.001; waist circumference reduction, with p < 0.001; and weight loss, with p < 0.001), postural stability with statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements in both postural activity (LOS test parameters) and reactions (MCT parameters). Conclusion: The study showed a statistically significant effect of comprehensive group therapy for obesity in terms of reductions in waist circumference, body weight and BMI, and thus the overall reduction of both cardiovascular and metabolic risks, as well as improved postural skills (activity and reactions).