Obesity

October 17, 2020Females2

Obesity is a major health issue for all adults because most of the people gradually increase weight at a rate of about 0.5 kg /year, however it is a major health issue for women in their midlife. Due to obesity medical conditions like cardiovascular diseases , Diabetes , Musculoskeletal disorders appears and makes women ill healthy . Obesity plays important risk factor for cancer like endometrial and breast cancer, risk of depression partly as a result of poor body image.

Effects of obesity on hormonal profile-

Obesity is known to have an effect on female reproductive function. Ovarian function is closely regulated by the hypothalmo-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, the function of which changes with the age. This leads to an increased frequency of anovulatory cycles, which worsens by extreme of weight. The increased secretion of FSH and LH by the pituitary gland, which occurs in the later reproductive years from about age 38 years onwards, stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles as well as their secretion of estradiol. As menopause approaches however, the level of estrogen drops in line with the decreasing number of follicles which lead to this rise in FSH. Since the endometrial changes are a reflection of the changes in Ovarian sex steroid production, this effect is visible as an increase in menstrual irregularity.

Ayurveda perspective-

In Ayurveda Obesity (Atisthaulya) is described as excessive accumulation of Meda (fat) and Mamsa(flesh /Muscle tissue) leading to the flabbiness of hips , abdomen and breast. It is considered as one of Santarpanootha Vikaras (Disease due to consumption of excessive calories) in Ayurveda. Medodushti (Disorders of fat metabolism) may be one of the risk factors for so many other medical problems like of Diabetes etc.

Causes –

1) Increased intake of energy – dense foods that are high in fats and carbohydrates.

2) Overeating and irregular food habits.

3) Lack of physical activities due to sedentary lifestyle.

4) Genetics , endocrine disorders , medical reasons or psychiatric illness.

5) Day time sleeping.

Symptoms –

1) Breathlessness even on little exertion or physical activity.

2) Lack of interest in doing work.

3) Profuse sweating with foul body odor.

4) Excessive hunger.

5) Feeling of tiredness.

6) Excessive sleep.

Diagnosing over weight –

Overweight is assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI). It is defined as person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his/her height in metres .

Body Mass Index (BMI) =Body weight in kgs /Square of height in metres

Healthy/ Normal BMI = 18.5 – 24.9

BMI of Overweight = 25 – 29.9

Waist circumference should also be used in addition to BMI to measure central obesity and disease risk in individuals with a BMI less than 35.

Normal range of waist circumference :-

Men = 94-102cm

Women = 80-88 cm

Following lab investigations are recommended to assess the risk of other related health problems –

1) Lipid Profile

2) Blood Glucose (fasting & Random)

3) Blood Pressure Measurement

Ayurveda Management –

Line of treatment –

Shamana (Palliative Treatment) –

1) Langhan (fasting)

2) Ama Pachan (Oral use of digestives to increase the fat metabolism)

3) Ruksha Udawartan (Dry medicated powder massage)

4) Heavy and non- nourishing diet like honey ,salad etc .advised.

5) Physical exercises , mental work also recommended.

Samshodhan Chikitsa (Purifactory procedures) –

1) Vaman (Therapeutic emesis)

2) Virechana (Therapeutic purgation)

3) Lekhan Vasti (Medicated enema)

Single Drugs –

Guduchi

Vidanga

Amla

Sunthi

Daruharidra

Compound Formulations-

Trikatu

Triphala Gugglu

Vidangadi Churna

Takrarhishta

Aarogyavardhini vati

Preventive Measures –

Unhealthy diet results in building up of adipose tissue in the body resulting in weight gain and obesity. Physical activity less as the energy Imbalance between calories consumed on one hand , calories expended on the other hand resulting in weight gain and obesity. Hence intake of healthy diet having sufficient fibre , adopting active lifestyle and practicing yoga and meditation to manage stress and fatigue are highly recommended for the prevention of obesity.

Lifestyle modification such as –

1) Mild to moderate exercise according to individual capacity.

2) Regular habit of brisk morning walk for 30 minutes.

3) Avoid sedentary habits.

4) Avoid excessive sleep.

5) Avoid watching TV while having food.

6) Avoid alcohol and smoking.

Do’s –

1) Take low fat and low calorie food item.

2) Take more protein to stay longer without food.

3) Steamed /boiled and baked vegetables rather than fried.

4) Take frequent small meals to avoid food cravings.

5) Drink skimmed milk instead of whole milk.

6) Take healthy foods such as – oatmeal, walnuts, salads, karela, shigru, barley, wheat, moong daal, honey, amla, anar, skimmed buttermilk etc.

7) Include cabbage in daily meal. It will stop the conversion of sugar to fat.

8) Use warm water for drinking.

9) Include lemon in diet and drinks.

Dont’s –

1) High carbohydrates vegetables like potatoes.

2) More sweet products ,more dairy products, fried and oily foods ,fast foods etc.

3) Salty foods or excessive salt in meals.

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