Obesity is a very common nutritional disorder in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health. The issue, i.e. the abnormal accumulation of fat in the stores of adipose tissue throughout the body is more than just a cosmetic concern. The condition can lead to many other serious maladies and health problems such as heart disease, arthritis,diabetes and high blood pressure.Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with increasing prevalence in adults and children, and experts view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the modern day decade.
The simplest yet thebest part is, even just losing a few pounds can improve or prevent the severe health problems related with Obesity. You can generally lose weight through making some changes in your life style especially by controlling diet and embracing physical activities.
In Ayurveda in order to reduce or prevent obesity, there are medications and therapies along with many lifestyle management methods.
Who is said to be Obese?
Obesity is spotted when an individual’s Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or higher. BMI is obtained by dividing body weight in kilograms by the height of the person in meters.
Below 18.5 | Underweight |
18.5 — 24.9 | Normal |
25.0 — 29.9 | Overweight |
30 & Above | Obese |
Causes
The Obese conditionarises when you eat and drink more calories than that you burn through exercise and normal daily activities – Your body tends to store these extra calories as fat. Obesity usually results from a combination of causes and contributing factors, including:
The Ayurvedic Perspective on Obesity:
Immune system mechanism of the body depends upon the Agni(enzymes) and dhastus. When first dhatu rasa is defective it affects the successive dhatu, because each dhatu is nourished by the previous dhatu.If we want to keep tri-doshas in a state of health and equilibrium, Ayurveda recommends a specific nutriment, dincharya (daily routine), ritu charya (seasonal routine) for any specific prakriti.If a person with kapha prakriti consumes food which is sweet and heavy in nature, and indulges in a sedentary life style, i.e.sleeps during the day and performs little or no exercise whatsoever.
These three can cause for more accumulation of meda in your body.
The major health risks of Obesity are Stroke, Breathing problems, cardiovascular diseases, Fatty liver etc.
Treatment-
According to Ayurveda
“KARSHYAMEVA VARAM STHOULYAT”- being lean is always better than obese,
So it is always ‘Longer the waist line and shorter the life line’.
Here are certain things one should follow to reduce or prevent obesity:
Do’s
Don’ts
Along with the above management methods some therapies in Ayurveda also is great to avoid or cure the condition:
Ayurveda therapy–
Traditional authentic Ayurvedic therapies mostly concentrates on melting the fat and removing it from the body, tightening the muscles and detoxification. This can be done by Ayurvedic massage therapy, vasthi and virechana.
a)Abhayangam and Udvarthanam with special medicated oil suitable for the body helps to reduce weight.
b)Podikizhi
c)Vamana
d)Virechana
e)Vasthi
Note: Duration of treatment – It depends upon the level of Obesity.
Oral Medicines– (listing a few)
Varnadi kashayam, Varadi kashayam,Ardhavilwam kashayam,Punarnavadi kashayam etc.
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