Types of Obesity

Obesity is divided into three types based on the displacement pattern of meda molecules: central obesity, where the belly is large; truncated obesity, where the breasts and belly are large; and peripheral obesity, where the extremities are large. These conditions arise from displacement of meda molecules in a particular direction depending upon lifestyle and emotions.

Importantly, obesity is connected to the weight of fat, not muscle. A physically active, muscular person of average height who weighs more has weight due to mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue), which governs one-third of body weight. This is acceptable. But if weight is high and muscles are flabby, that is true obesity. Ayurveda does not give a fixed figure for ideal weight; it varies from person to person and depends on the balanced quality and quantity of tissues.