Abstract

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AYURVEDIC PHYSICIAN TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN - A CONCEPTUAL STUDY

S. P. Molligoda*, B. S. M. M. Sooriyaarachchi and S. M. Palathiratne

Abstract

Child is the father of man. Child today governs the world tomorrow. Overall health of the children decides nations to come. Children’s health is a decisive contributory factor of the future. Betterment of the country is totally dependent on the good health of the population and the same principle applies to the whole world. If the present child is healthy then only we could expect a healthy adult. Child population of the world is comparatively less than adults’ population. Many current statistics prove that the overweight and obesity among children has increased dramatically in recent decades, with about one-third of children in the United States currently being either overweight or obese. Overweight in early childhood increases risk of obesity and non-communicable diseases in adult life. These studies show that the health of children is at risk in present society. According to Ayurveda, child is brought up under the protection and guidance of parents and no way could the parents shelve their responsibilities. Till he or she comes to the stage of achieving Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha (Caturvidhasampat) on his own, parents should safe guard them securely.

Keywords: Health, Ayurveda, Children.