A Cross-Sectional Study to Understand Nidanas of Sthoulya With Respect to Body Composition Analysis

Obesity is a global health concern with multifaceted causes and far-reaching consequences. This study explores the etiological factors (nidanas) of Sthoulya as described in Ayurvedic literature and correlates them with contemporary body composition parameters using a cross-sectional study and stratified random sampling involving 100 subjects. Body composition analysis (BCA) was conducted using measuring parameters such as body fat percentage, BMI, visceral fat, muscle mass, etc. Correlation coefficients were calculated to identify relationships among these variables. The purpose of this study is to correlate Ayurvedic nidanas with Body Composition Parameters, explore the relationships and correlations among weight, fat percentage, bone density, visceral fat and BMI and investigate the impact of lifestyle factors, including dietary habits, on body composition metrics. In this study, we correlated Ayurvedic nidanas with BCA components. Noteworthy correlations were observed, which included the association of sweets, milk, chips and other fried items with higher fat percent levels. Anupa mamsa (chicken meat), rice boiled with milk, and paya (boiled milk) correlated with higher muscle mass. Salty snacks, baked foods, cheese, cold items (sheeta aahara) and 'having more quantity of food' - atibhojana were linked to higher visceral fat levels. This correlation and understanding of the relations provide insights into the interplay between Ayurvedic concepts and modern scientific parameters, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of obesity. The study emphasizes the significance of considering holistic factors, including dietary habits and lifestyle, in addressing obesity and designing personalized interventions for better health outcomes.