Ayurveda and obesity prevention: Policy perspectives and integrative opportunities

Obesity is one of the major global public health concerns, driven by factors such as sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy dietary patterns, and metabolic imbalances. Ayurveda considers this manifestation under a broad umbrella of Medoroga or Sthaulya (~obesity), and provides a comprehensive personalized approach to its management. In today’s world, where every individual experience develops this disease for diverse reasons, the Ayurveda principle of personalized and preventive healthcare offers significant relevance. Integrating Ayurveda principles into modern public health frameworks presents a valuable opportunity to enhance individualized care and strengthen preventive health strategies. This article presents a narrative review with a policy-oriented perspective that examines the growing burden of obesity in India through the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS). It examines India’s national initiatives and international strategies aimed towards obesity reduction to explore areas for integration of Ayurveda. With this context, the review proposes Ayurveda principles referenced in classical texts, supported by available scientific evidence, and explores their alignment with public health strategies to strengthen programs for combating obesity. This integration offers promising avenues for strengthening community-based obesity prevention in India, fostering sustainable, culturally resonant interventions in the era of personalized healthcare.