Literary Analysis of Dietary Recommendations for Management of Obesity

Abstract

In Ayurveda classics Obesity is defined as sthaulya or medavriddhi and it is characterized under santarpanottha vikara sickness which is caused due to overconsumption and abnormal accumulation of dietary element of the body. Overweight and obesity are identified as the fifth leading risk of global deaths. Overweight prevalence was higher among females than males and in urban areas than in rural areas the underlying cause for obesity is imbalance between consumption and expenditure of calories. The management of Obesity mentioned in Ayurvedic classical texts, and which have been summarized as four treatment regimens including Samshamana, Samshodhana, Ahara and Vihara. According to the Ayurvedic perspective gives importance for Aahara as it considers it as three Upastamba (sub pillars) of life. The purpose of this study is to gather dietary recommendations for the management of obesity. Primary data collection was done from Charaka samhitha, Susrutha samhitha, and Ashtangahruda samhitha. Secondary data collection was done from previous research articles, electronic databases including PubMed Scopus, Google Scholar and trusted websites. According to Ayurveda perspective Obesity can manage using combination of Āhāra (Diet), Vihāra (Lifestyle) and Nidānaparivarjana. Apart from that Dincharya, Ritucharya, Yoga and Rasayana have responsibility in prevention and cure obesity.