Abstract

IMPORTANCE OF PATHYA-APATHYA AAHAARA IN STHOULYA MANAGEMENT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO OBESITY

Dr. Vasundhara R. Borakhade and Dr. Abhiruchi S. Shriwastav*

Abstract

The scientific and technological progress along with advancement of industrialization and communication is contributing towards sedentary life styles, in turn causing chronic non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer, ischemic heart disease, cerebro-vascular accidents, atherosclerosis, varicose veins etc.; thereby giving rise to different types of health problems. Obesity being the major risk factor for these diseases, hence prevention of obesity will decrease the chances of acquiring such diseases. Worldwide Obesity has more than doubled since 1980. In 2020 more than 1.95 billion adults i.e. 18 years and older were overweight, of these over 700 million were obese. Most of the world population live in such countries where being overweight & Obesity kill more people than from being underweight. Like other diseases, Obesity is mostly the resultant of various factors like heredity, environment or food, though it is difficult to decide the involvement of prime factor. It is not possible to change heredity; it is difficult to change environment, but relatively easy to change food habits and life styles. Sthoulya is the nearest clinical entity for obesity in Ayurveda. For causation of Sthoulya, excessive intake of calories with a decreased expenditure is the main reason. In Ayurveda, obese persons are included under Asta-Nindita Purusha. The reason for difficult nature is the involvement of Tridosha and affliction of Saptadhatu.

Keywords: Sthoulya, Obesity, Pathya-Apathya.