Abstract

MANAGEMENT OF STHAULYA (OBESITY) THROUGH AYURVEDA AND YOGA

Dr. Bishnu Choudhury, Dr. Vijay Kumar, Dr. Khagen Basumatary

Abstract

Obesity is a disease of all age group within the people of high socioeconomic status, specifically in of Urban Communities. WHO declared obesity as global epidemic giving rise to new term ―Globesity”. In 2016, WHO global estimated as about 13% of the world’s adult populations (650 million adults & 41 million children) were obese. Obesity is a complex, multi factorial disease which invites several pathological complications like Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, infertility, hepatic steatosis/ fatty liver, endocrine abnormalities, obstetric complications, osteoarthritis of weight bearing joints, certain types of Cancers, and possibly immunological impairment as well as it hampers the cosmetic value of the affected person. It has deleterious effects both on body and mind. Obesity i.e. Sthaulya Roga of Ayurveda comes under the heading of Medaroga which results due to dysfunction of Meda dhatvagni (factor responsible for nourishment/ metabolism of Meda dhatu) and is considered as metabolic disorder. Further, its description is available in Ashtaunindita Purusha Adhyaya of Charak Samhita (chapter dedicated to 8 types of undesirable physiques where obese are criticized by society because of inappropriate body size). Rapid increase of prevalence rate of obesity suggest all branches of medicines to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease as per the basic fundamental principles of concerned health sciences and to provide suitable management protocol either by pharmacological or non-pharmacological method to fulfill the global demand. Entire world is expecting a fruitful management protocol and prevention of obesity through Ayurveda and Yoga. Keeping this fact in view, this paper is an effort to understand etiology, pathogenesis and treatment strategy of obesity through Ayurveda and Yoga.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Medaroga, Obesity, Sthoulya, Yoga.