Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat accumulates that can make a person overweight. Obesity is defined by Body mass index (BMI) and further evaluated by the measurement of waist-hip ratio. Obesity is a leading preventable and widely accepted cause of death worldwide. Obesity increases the risk of many physical and mental conditions. In an individual, too much excess food energy and lack of exercise can lead to overweight or obesity.
Combinations of medical disorders like High blood pressure, Diabetes mellitus, High triglycerides levels can be considered as a born from obesity. On an average obesity decreases the life expectancy to about 6 to 7 years.
BMI is the body mass index and can be calculated as-
BMI= mass (kg) / height (m) 2
There is no biological reason for men and women to be fat along with the age. Therefore the standard of overweight can be defined as men above 20% and women above 30% of body fat. The location of adipose tissue should also be considered for determining the overweight of a person. Fat deposited in the abdominal region is the greater cause of obesity and fat deposited on the thigh and buttocks are alarming. Inactive sedentary and luxurious life has created a greater risk of Obesity.
Categories of Obesity
Percentage above ideal weight
10 to 20 per cent
Overweight
20 to 30 percent
Mild Obesity
30 to 50 percent
Moderate Obesity
50 to 100 percent
Severe Obesity
100 percent and above
Extreme condition
Cause of Obesity-A bad diet is not always considered reason for obesity. There are many ingredients in the food that are simple but not natural and if the body can’t synthesize this food then it can lead to obesity If sufficient exercise and lack of physical activity can lead to putting on weight. In some people, low metabolic rate and hypothyroidism can even lead to Obesity.
Ayurveda follows different strategies for each individual after a thorough assessment of body, mind and soul.
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR OBESITY
In Ayurvedic text “CHARAKACHARYA” has described eight “NINDYA PRAKRUTIES” (undesirable constitution). Obesity is described as Medroga in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda Body is made of 7 dhatus (Rasa-lymph/.Rakta-blood/Maans-muscle/ Meda-fat/ Asthi –bones/ Majja- nervous system/ Shukra- reproductive system. But in Obese fellow Meda is excessively nourished and other dhatu remain undernourished. Kapha is accumulated in between and when kapha is accumulated in between it result into Obesity. Prevention is better than cure so Ayurveda describes certain steps that should be taken to prevent obesity or overweight.
Excessive eating should be avoided
Day sleep should be avoided
Excess water after meal and aerated drink should be avoided.
Avoid excess carbohydrate and too much oily and fatty food.
Regular exercise like brisk walking should be done every day.
Avoid sedentary and lethargic lifestyle.
Take non-vegetarian food in moderate quantity.
Ayurvedic Remedies- In Ayurveda there are useful remedies that can cure Obesity.
*Guduchi
*Devadaru
*Musta
*Triphala
*Shilajit
*Yava and Amlakai
*Honey water in the early morning.