Abstract

“AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO OBESITY”

Dr. Parveen Sharma* and Dr. Anand B. More

ABSTRACT

Obesity is a condition in which an individual is significantly overweight and an excessive amount of body fat get accumulated under the chin and on the beasts, belly, buttocks and thighs. Though it is not a serious case in itself, it may shorten the span of life, as well as create diminished efficiency and happiness. Obesity has become an epidemic in North America. Recent figures show that in the past two decades the number of overweight children and adolescents has doubled. Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, high cholesterol, some types of cancers are major health risks due to obesity. Mainly causes of obesity are overeating, excessive intake of heavy or cold food and drinks, oversleeping, lack of exercise, frequent snacking, eating processed food and leftovers, eating while multi-tasking and eating food that is not suitable to one’s body type. Ayurveda and its approach: Ayurveda is an ancient science and has a holistic approach to life. In Ayurveda, obesity is described as Medoroga, a disorder of Meda dhatu, which includes fat tissue and fat metabolism. According to Ayurveda obesity begins with imbalance of Dosha (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), Agni (digestive fire), Mala (waste products) and of Srotasa (microcirculatory channels). This collection of imbalances then interferes with the formation of Dhatu or tissues and leads to a tissue imbalance which leads to excessive weight. From the Ayurvedic perspective, the key cause is found in lifestyle and diet choices that disrupt balance. Ayurveda views weight imbalance and obesity as something that should be corrected before it can contribute to other health problem. Ayurvedic word for digestion and metabolism is Agni. Agni, when loosely translated, means fire. It actually signifies something much more than just fire and includes the idea of a precise and powerful functioning intelligence. Agni has remarkable transformative qualities. All types of food we consumed must be transformed into useful parts to the body (nutrients) and that which is not needed (waste). The nutrients, or most refined products of of Agni, are used to create th Dhatu of body.

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