MANAGEMNET OF OBESITY IN AYURVEDA: A REVIEW

Dr. Vikas Singh Rathore and Dr. Hari Krishna Shriwas*

ABSTRACT

Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of fat usually 20% or more over an individual’s ideal body weight. People are generally considered obese when their body mass index (BMI) is 30kg/m, with the range 25-30kg/m2 defined as overweight. In Ayurveda, obesity (Medo-roga) is described as a condition in which buttocks; abdomen and breast become flabby due to fat accumulation and move while walking. The incidences of obesity are increasing very rapidly. In 2015, 600 million adults and around 100 million children were obese. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food energy intake and a lack of physical activity. Some genetical factors, medical reasons or psychiatric illness also causes obesity. In Ayurveda, high calorie food, frequent eating, avoidance of physical work and sleeping in day time are described as causative factors of obesity (Medo-roga). Diet and life style play important role in management of obesity. Indulgence in physical work and use of low calorie food are mentioned in the treatment of Medo-roga. Various herbs such as Triphala (combination of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica and Emblica officinalis in equal parts.), Sunthi (Zingiber officinale), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Madhu (Honey) and Munga (a type of cereal) etc. should be used by obese person.

Keywords: obesity, BMI, Ayurveda, medoroga.