Abstract

DOSHAJ PRAKRITI IN AYURVEDA AND ITS CORRELATION WITH BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)

Nivedita Giri, Dr. Anumeha Joshi and Dr. Niraj Srivastava*

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Abstract

Background: Prakriti is defined as the sum of physical, physiological, psychological traits of an individual which represents genotypes. The unique concept of Prakriti, based on theory of Tridosha, namely Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, has been described in Ayurveda that underpins all understanding of human physiology and treatment of disease in highly individualized manner. The dictionary meaning of word ‗Prakriti’ is nature, character, and constitution, original or primary substance. The questionnaire for Prakriti determination is qualitative assessment and the BMI is Quantitative assessment. Aim: To find out any co-relation between Body Mass Index (BMI) and different Deha/Doshaj Prakriti of professional college students and staff. Materials and methods: In this study 100 healthy individuals from age group of 18 to 40 years were screened for their Prakriti analysis. Correlation of Prakriti and body mass index was studied in this study. Here, we tried to found out whether there is any correlation between Prakriti and body mass index. The Prakriti and BMI these two variables are studied here. Doshaj Prakriti is assessed with the help of CCRAS Prakriti assessment manual. Assessment of body mass index is done by quetlet method BMI = weight/height2. Discussion & Conclusion: Among total underweight individual, Vata prakriti was significantly more prominent than other Prakriti. Among normal BMI individual, Pitta prakriti were significantly more prominent than other Prakriti and among overweight individual, Kapha prakriti was significantly more than other prakriti.

Keywords: Doshaj Prakriti, Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Body mass index (BMI), Ayurveda.