Abstract

Abstract

Body Mass Index (BMI) is the important clinical tool to assess the risk of obesity. The BMI is increasingly used in clinical practice of modern era for risk assessment as well as for preventive measures in the form of healthy diet and lifestyle. The BMI is calculated from the measuring parameters like height and weight. The modern height and weight ratio is very well documented for thin, medium and thick frames. The idea of BMI can be traced in ancient Indian medical science, Ayurveda. Acharya Charaka had given the normal body measurement in the vimansthana. The increase in these measurements indicates the deviation from normal anthropometric values. Acharya Charaka had also mentioned the clinical objective sign of obesity in the form of increase in size of breast, gluteus, abdomen, chest (chala sphik, chala nitamba, chala udara) etc. The exact measurement of weight of an individual is not given. Hence, for this purpose the help from contemporary Astrological science is taken as per the guidelines given by acharyas to develop the science. The weight of an individual is very well mentioned in Jyotish science as a part of normal samudrik laxanas to predict the fortune based on these normal body features. The height measurement of an individual at 25 years of age is taken from the Ayurvedic science whereas weight of an individual at 25 years of age is taken from the Indian Jyotish science and the BMI is decided on the basis of these measurements. It is observed and concluded that these findings matches with the modern measurements.