A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS OF STHAULYA (OBESITY)

Abstract

In this era of rapid modernisation, lifestyle disorders are on a rise. Obesity is a rapidly emerging disorder of nutritional abundance happening due to sedentary lifestyle and abundance in calorie intake by a person. Obesity is a state of excess adipose tissue deposition and increase weight in a person. Ayurveda which is a holistic life science also describes obesity as Sthaulya under Santarpanjanya vikara (over nourishment disorder). Multifactorial in nature, Sthaulya etiology lies in diet, lifestyle, mental and genetic factors as intake of Madhur rasa, Atisampoorana (overeating), Avyayama (no physical activity), no mental exersion and Bijaswabhava (hereditary factor). Main pathogenesis lies in increase in Guru, Sheeta and Snigda properties in a person in different proportions. Madhura rasa increases all 3 Guna, no physical exertion increases Guru and Sheeta Guna etc. In this article, all Nidana of Sthaulya are critically evaluated to help understand and treat Sthaulya in its primary stage only. It helps in decreasing treatment load of any disease in further stages.