Abstract

Dr. Ramchandra P. Babar* Dr. Shravani Gund and Dr. Jayashree Nandgaonkar

ABSTRACT

Worldwide estimates of childhood overweight / obesity shows increasing trends and continues each year. Many researches show that the childhood overweight / obesity is epidemic and has impact on every domains of life including the health. The consequences of childhood obesity are extensive and include medical as well as psychosocial co morbidities. The major co morbidities associated with childhood obesity are metabolic risk factors and other systemic disorders. Ayurveda , the ancient science of life also highlighted the overweight / obesity (staulya) and its consequences along with the details of causative factors, pathophysiology and line of management with exercise (vyayam / vihar), dietary modifications (Ahar), medications and some body - purification / detoxification (panchakarma) methods. Ayurvedic line of management includes the holistic approach taking in consideration of causative factors (Ahar-viharaj hetu), biochemical changes (Samprapti), the different stages of the disease (Agnimandya, Dhatvagnimandya, Ama, Kleda, Srotorodha, Doshaprakop avastha) and accordingly the accordingly the line of management of the disease (Ahar, Vihar, Dravyachikitsa, Yuktivyapashraya chikitsa, vayayam, etc). Overweight / obesity is hard to treat as it needs the multi-systemic approach of managements including dietary and medicinal managements. The Ayurvedic principles of the disease progress & co morbidities should be taken in consideration to control the childhood overweight / obesity to control the complications in further life. This article highlights the co morbidities of childhood overweight/obesity along with its Ayurvedic approach described in ancient ayurvedic literature.