Obesity

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a condition of excessive amount of body fat. It is a common disorder of modern-day life style and result of high fat, fried foods along with a sedentary life style. Excessive body fat is most commonly noticeable as belly fat which not only makes a person out of shape but obesity is actually an important health hazard. Obesity increases risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers.

Symptoms

Obesity is a condition when body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher. Body mass index is determined by dividing body weight in kilograms by square of height in meters

Usually, BMI is an estimate of body fat but in some people such as muscular athletes, BMI is in the obesity category even though they don’t have excess body fat

Causes of Obesity:

Obesity results from a combination of inherited factors, combined with the environment and personal lifestyle choices. Although there are genetic, behavioral, metabolic and hormonal factors that affect body weight, but in general, obesity occurs when calory intake is more than the calories burnt through exercise and normal daily activities. Body stores these excess calories as fat.

Risk factors for Obesity:

Obesity usually results from a combination of causes and contributing factors:

Genetic Makeup:

Genes affect the amount of fat body stores and where that fat is distributed. Genes plays a role in regulating appetite, converting food into energy and burning calories during exercise

Lifestyle choices

• Unhealthy diet: Diet high in calories, lacking in fruits and vegetables, full of fast food and high-calorie beverages
• Liquid calories: Drinks like alcohol, sugared soft drinks contribute to weight gain
• Inactivity: Sedentary lifestyle & less physical work
• Certain Medications: Antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, anti- diabetics, antipsychotics, steroids and beta blockers
• Medical problems: such as arthritis, can lead to decreased activity, which may result in weight gain

Complications of Obesity:

People with obesity are more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health problems, including:

• Heart disease and strokes.
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain cancers
• Digestive problems
• Gynecological and sexual problems
• Sleep apnea. (Difficulty in breathing while sleeping)
• Osteoarthritis
• Depression
• Sexual problems

Obesity in Ayurveda:

In Ayurveda, Atisthaulya (Obesity) is described as excessive accumulation of Meda (fat/adipose tissue) and Mamsa (flesh/muscle tissue) leading to flabbiness of hips, abdomen, and breast. Medo dhatu (adipose tissue) is the site of metabolic disturbance in an obese individual. Meda becomes increased due to ingestion of excessive sneha and Madhur rasa. Sthaulya (obesity) is considered as one of the eight types of undesirable conditions as described by Acharya Charaka.

Derangement of Agni or digestive power leads to production of ama which disturbs agni of fatty tissue and blocks the proper formation of further tissues. Accumulated fat causes disturbance to movement of vata which in turn increases appetite. Person therefore eats more and the entire food is then converted into proper fat tissue.

Treatment of Obesity in Ayurveda:

The first step in obesity treatment starts with a comprehensive management of the lifestyle (i.e. diet, physical exercise, behaviour modification) and should be maintained as an effective and safe obesity management measure. We can continue this healthy lifestyle with safe and effective treatment of Ayurveda to prevent and manage obesity.

There are some very effective herbs that can treat disorders of fat metabolism. They break down the fat cells and clear its deposition.

Panchkarma therapies are also very effective treatment of Obesity. Deep, dry massages with herbal powders and pastes (Udwarthanam), synchronized massage with specific oils (Abhyanga), and herbal steam bath helps mobilize the accumulated fat; whereas specially designed diet and yoga programs prevent its further accumulation.