By  Dr. P. K. Srivastava  


Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in affluent societies. It is a condition in which there is an excess amount of fat.

Aetiology:- Excessive fat accumulation occurs due to imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. Age factor, sedentary life style, occupational causes,hereditary factors, Endocrine factors, pregnancy, and excessive intake of calories and low energy expenditure are some fectors, responsible for obesity.Some drugs like steroids, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines and insulin like drugs are also responsible for obesity.

Diagnosis:- We can assess the degree of obesity by the measurement of desirable height & body weight of patient according the age and sex. In addition, the skinfold thickness over the triceps muscles can be measured using special spring loaded calipus. Obesity is indicated by a reading above 20 mm in man and 28mm in woman.

Complication:-- Unattracted appearance, psycosocial and sexual problems, osteoarthrosis of the knees,hips,and lumber spine,varicosity in vein , dyspnoea are some mechanical problems.Diabetes mellitus(N.I.D.D.M.), hyperlipidaemia, gallstones, hyperuricaemia, gout,are some metabolic disorders and Hypertension, ischaemic heart disease are some cardiac disorders, which occurs due to obesity alongwith deficient immunity.

Ayurvedic Concept:-- According Ayurvedic concept,Kapha Dosha and abnormalities of meda dhatu are mainly responsible for obesity. In Ayurveda, it is describe as Medo Rog. Due to increased intake and sedentary life, the amount of Kapha Dosha increases in body,which causes medo dhatu dustti(Abnormal accumulation of fat).In Ayurveda , Undre the chapter”Asta Nindit” medo purush—Obese persons are described as the persons, who are much prone to several diseases.Hereditry causes are described in Ayurveda under the Beej dosha.

Prognosis:-According Ayurvedic concept, Heredatry causes have not good prognosis,otherwise, generally, we can control the obesity caused by others fectors.

Ayurvedic Treatment:-- Obesity due to hormonal causes should be treated accordingly. Removal of causative fectors is the first line of treatment.Some Ayurvedic drugs , which are effective in obesity(Medo Rog), are as follows—

1--- Medo har Guggul
2--- Shilajt(Sodhit)
3--- Triphala Guggul
4--- Arogya vardhini vati
5--- Dashmoola risht
6--- lashunadi guggul


These Ayurvedic drugs should be taken according Ayurvedic Consultant. Alongwith the above drugs, light exercise and controlled low fat diet, low caloric diet are also suggested.