Association of Basal Metabolic Rate with Different Deha Prakriti in Healthy Individuals- A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Deha Prakriti is a comparatively stable constitutional phenotype of individual which is described in Ayurveda. BMR is influenced by body size, age, sex and the amount of metabolically active tissue. Aim & Objective: To find out the association between Deha prakriti and BMR status of the subject. Methodology: Cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 90 apparently healthy volunteers aged 18-40 years at Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College and Hospital, New Delhi. Participants were divided into three groups based on predominant Prakriti, as assessed by the CCRAS Ayur Prakriti Web Portal, with groups being Vatadhikya (Group A), Pittadhikya (Group B) and Kaphadhikya (Group C). BMR was determined by BIA using a Body Mass Analyzer. Differences between groups were compared using one-way ANOVA with a Tukey post-hoc test. Results: The mean BMR were 1393.6±168.4 kcal/day, 1308.7±164.6 kcal/day & 1312.0±183.8 kcal/day for Group A, B & C respectively. The difference among the groups was statistically significant (ANOVA p=0.001033). Tukey analysis revealed significant differences between Group A and Group B (mean difference 84.9 kcal/day, p=0.026537) and Group B and Group C (mean difference −3.3 kcal/day, p=0.039232), but not between Group A and Group C (mean difference 81.6kcal/day, p=0.470345). Conclusion: BMR was significantly different among three Prakriti groups in this sample with highest mean value among Vatadhikya individuals. This study demonstrates that the constitutional features of Ayurveda may have quantifiable physiological correlates. But the pattern seen could be due to differences in sex, age, height, weight, body composition and lifestyle so the findings are preliminary and need to be confirmed using larger research and direct metabolic measures.