AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF ASHTODOSHA OF ATISTHAULYA IN OVERWEIGHT ACCORDING TO CHARAKA SAMHITA

Anand V. Kalaskar, Ankeeta P. Dahiwale*, Shivani Bhavarekar and Radha S. Khadakkar

ABSTRACT

Overweight and Obesity are defined as an “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation” that presents risk to health.[1] Overweight is defined as Body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9kg/m2 and obesity as BMI of more than or equal to 30kg/m2.However overweight and obesity are not mutually exclusive, since obese persons are also overweight.[2] Overweight is the pre-obese state where the individuals are considered a risk for developing associated morbidities or diseases. BMI between 25 and 30 should be viewed as medically significant and worthy of therapeutic intervention, especially in the presence of risk factors that are influenced by adiposity, such as hypertension and glucose intolerance. According to classical Ayurveda text, Atisthaulya is one of the eight despicable described in Charaka Samhita.[5] Atisthaulya is a disease which is despised by all. Acharya Charaka has explained in detail regarding the disease and its lakshana’s which he mentioned as Ashtodosha. This study aims to study these lakshana’s and their presence in contemporary era in overweight individuals. This study will help in creating that not widely known awareness about Overweight individuals and the health risk they possess. As Acharya Charaka has mentioned the Atisthoola in the eight despicable, the overweight is also at risk to have health consequences.

Keywords: Sthaulya, Sthulam, Athisthaulyam, Medaswita, Atisthoola, Ashtodosha.