DEVELOPING TARGETED INITIATIVES TO PREVENT OBESITY AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS THROUGH AYURVEDIC LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS: A REVIEW

Background: A significant public health concern, obesity is a complicated disorder that combines biological, developmental, environmental, behavioral, and hereditary components. The most frequent cause of childhood and teenage obesity is an imbalance in energy balance; it is characterized as taking excessive amounts of calories without sufficiently eliminating them. The prevalence of childhood and teenage obesity has been associated with comorbid conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), and Dyslipidemia. Clinicians have mostly focused on dietary adjustments and activity coaching because there isn't a single therapy option for obesity. Ayurveda explain the therapies for the prevention of Sthaulya like Nidanaparivarjana (Avoidance of the root causes of disease) e.g. [Garbhadhan Purva Sanskara (Pre-conceptional purification), Garbhini Paricharya (systematic care of a pregnant woman throughout the pregnancy), Pathya Aahara (nourishing food)] Vyayama (Exercise), Dincharyapalana (observance of a healthy and disciplined daily routine), proper sleep, Increase physical activities is also effective. This paper emphasizes on developing targeted initiatives to prevent obesity both young people and adolescents by adopting Ayurvedic lifestyle practices.