HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Homoeopathic medicines can help you lose weight by

improving digestion, elimination, and metabolism. In
homoeopathy there are 189 remedies indicated for obesity.
The choice of remedy depends upon the complete case
history of the patient. This is very unique to homoeopathy.
Medicines need to be individually prescribed, based on your
own unique pattern of symptoms, behaviourial aspects,
constitutional characteristics, family history etc.

Constitutional treatment is most appropriate.

Some of the most commonly used medicines are:

Antimonium crudum, Calcarea carbonica, Capsicum,
Graphites, Phytolacca berry, Senega, Thyroidinum

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES

Note: Keeping in view the multiplicity of causative factors, it is advised to consult a qualified
homoeopathic doctor for taking the treatment.

Ÿ Medicine should be taken after cleaning the mouth & preferably on empty stomach
Ÿ Strong smelling substances like onion, garlic etc. should not be taken within half an hour before
and after taking the medicine
Ÿ The medicine should not be taken if the white globules turn yellow, or if the sediments appear in
the liquid form of medicine
Ÿ Homoeopathic medicines act better in patients who are not addicted to tobacco products. It is,
therefore, advisable not to use cigarette, biddi, paan masala, alcohol, narcotics, etc.
Ÿ Keep the medicines:
Ÿ Away from strong smelling substances like camphor, menthol etc.
Ÿ Away from direct exposure to sunlight; in a cool and dry place
Ÿ Away from the reach of children

CENTRAL COUNCIL FOR RESEARCH IN HOMOEOPATHY

(Dept. of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. Of India)
61-65, Institutional Area, Janakpuri, New Delhi-110058.
Tel.- 91-11-28525523 Fax.-91-11-28521060
SIMILIBUS
E-mail:[email protected], [email protected],
website: www.ccrhindia.org
CENTRAL COUNCIL FOR RESEARCH IN HOMOEOPATHY
(Dept. of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. Of India)
WHAT ARE OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY?

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair
health.
Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify
overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the
square of his height in meters (kg/m2).

The WHO definition is:

Ÿ a BMI greater than or equal to 25 is over weight
Ÿ a BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obesity

BMI provides the most useful population-level measure of overweight and obesity as it is the same
for both sexes and for all ages of adults. However, it should be considered a rough guide because it
may not correspond to the same degree of fatness in different individuals

BMI WEIGHT STATUS

Below 18.5 Underweight

18.5 - 24.9 Normal

25.0 - 29.9 Overweight If your child is overweight, further weight gain can be prevented. Parents can help their children
keep their weight in the healthy range
30.0 and higher Obese Ÿ In infancy, breast feeding and delaying introduction of solid foods may help prevent obesity
Ÿ In early childhood, children should be given healthful, low-fat snacks and take part in vigorous
physical activity every day. Their television viewing should be limited to no more than seven hours
40.0 and higher Extreme Obesity per week (which includes video games and the internet)
Ÿ Older children can be taught to select healthy, nutritious foods and to develop good exercise
habits. Their time spent watching television and playing with computer or video games should be
Because BMI doesn’t directly measure body fat, some people, such as muscular athletes, may have limited to no more than seven hours each week.
a BMI in the obese category even though they don’t have excess body fat. Ÿ Avoid snacking or eating meals while watching TV, movies and videos

FACTS ABOUT OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY

Some WHO global estimates from 2008 follow:

Ÿ 1.5 billion adults, 20 and older, were overweight
Ÿ Of these 1.5 billion overweight adults, over 200 million men and nearly 300 million women
were obese
Ÿ Overall, more than one in ten of the world’s adult population was obese

Obesity in India
Survey conducted by National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3), Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare Govt. of India suggests:
Ÿ As many as 30 million Indians are overweight
Ÿ Around 20% of school going children are overweight
Ÿ In 2011, overall prevalence of obesity/overweight amongst adolescents in Delhi is found to
be at 24.2%.
 OBESITY IN CHILDREN: A SERIOUS CONCERN
WHAT CAUSES OBESITY?
Ÿ An increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high
in fat, salt and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals and
other micronutrients; and
Ÿ A decrease in physical activity due to the increasingly
sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes
of transportation, and increasing urbanization

Obesity usually results from a combination of causes and

contributing factors, including:
Ÿ Genetics
Ÿ Inactivity
Ÿ Unhealthy diet and eating habits
Ÿ Family lifestyle
Ÿ Quitting smoking
Ÿ Pregnancy
Ÿ Lack of sleep
Obesity has a profound effect on a child’s life. Obesity increases the child’s risk of numerous health Ÿ Certain medications
problems, and it also can create emotional and social problems. Obese children are also more likely Ÿ Age
to be obese as adults, increasing their risk of serious health problems such as heart disease and Ÿ Social and economic issues
stroke. Ÿ Medical problems. Obestiy can rarely be traced to a medical cause, such as Prader-Willi
syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, and other conditions like low thyroid
Most professionals use published guidelines based on the body mass function. Some medical problems, such as arthritis, can lead to decreased activity, which may result
index (BMI), or a modified BMI for age, to measure obesity in children. in weight gain.
Consumption of just 100 calories (the equivalent of 8 ounces of a soft
drink) above daily requirements will typically result in a 10-pound weight The risk factors can be countered through diet, physical activity and exercise, and behaviour
gain over one year. Many different factors contribute to this imbalance changes.
between calorie intake and consumption.

HEALTH HAZARDS DUE TO OBESITY

Obese people are more likely to develop a number of

Prevalence of childhood obesity potentially serious health problems, including:
Rapidly changing dietary practices & a sedentary lifestyle has led to increasing prevalence of
childhood obesity. During the year 2006-2009, prevalence rates indicate an increase from 9.8 to Ÿ High cholesterol and triglycerides
11.7% in India. Ÿ Type 2 diabetes
Ÿ High blood pressure
Ÿ Metabolic syndrome - a combination of high blood
sugar, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and high
Country/City Year Prevalence (%) cholesterol
Ÿ Heart disease
Ÿ Stroke
Global 2004 10 Ÿ Cancer, including cancer of the uterus, cervix,
ovaries, breast, colon, rectum and prostate
USA/UK 2000 20 Ÿ Sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep disorder in
which breathing repeatedly stops and starts
Ÿ Depression
Australia 1995 20
Ÿ Gall bladder disease
Ÿ Gynecologic problems, such as infertility and
India/Chennai 2002 22 irregular periods
Ÿ Erectile dysfunction and sexual health issues
India/Delhi 2004 16 Ÿ Non- alcoholic fatty liver disease
Ÿ Osteoarthritis
Ÿ Skin problems, such as poor wound healing
India/Delhi 2006 29
QUALITY OF LIFE Dietary changes
Reducing calories and eating healthy are vital to overcoming obesity. Although you may lose
When you’re obese, your overall quality of life may be lower, too. You may not be able to do weight quickly at first, slow and steady weight loss of 1 or 2 pounds (½ to 1 kilogram) a week
things you’d normally enjoy as easily as you’d like. You may have trouble participating in family over the long term is considered the safest way to lose weight and the best way to keep it off
activities. You may avoid public places. You may even encounter discrimination. permanently. Avoid drastic and unrealistic diet changes, such as crash diets, because they’re
unlikely to help you keep excess weight off for the long term.

Other weight related issues that may affect your quality of life
include:
Ÿ Depression
Ÿ Disability
Ÿ Physical discomfort
Ÿ Sexual problems
Ÿ Shame
Ÿ Social isolation

Dietary ways to overcome obesity include:

Ÿ A low-calorie diet

THINGS TO DO Ÿ Feeling full on less. By eating larger protions of foods like fruits and vegetables, which are
less packed with calories, you reduce hunger pangs, take in fewer calories and feel better about
Ÿ Start making healthy changes in your diet; eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains your meal, which contributes to how satisfied you feel overall.
and reducing portion sizes. Do not skip breakfast.
Ÿ Track how much you’re eating or drinking each day so that you get a sense of how many Ÿ Adopting a healthy eating plan. Eat more plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables
calories you’re taking in and whole-grain carbohydrates. Also emphasize lean sources of protein, such as beans, lentils
Ÿ Begin increasing your activity level: Start gradually if you aren’t in good shape or aren’t used and soy, and lean meats. Try to include fish twice a week. Limit salt and added sugar. Stick with
to exercising. Even a 10-minute daily walk can help low-fat dairy products. Eat small amounts of fats, and make sure they come from heart-healthy
soucres, such as nuts and olive, canola and nut oils.
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
Ÿ Meal replacements. These plans suggest that you replace one or two meals with their
If your doctor believes you are overweight or obese, he or she will typically review your health products - such as low-calorie shakes or meal bars - and eat healthy snacks and a healthy,
history in detail, perform a physical exam and recommend some tests. balanced third meal that’s low in fat and calories. In the short term, this type of diet can help you
These exams and tests generally include: lose weight.
Ÿ Calculating your BMI
Ÿ Measuring your waist circumference. Women with a waist measurement of more than 35 Ÿ Be wary of quick fixes. There are no magic foods or quick fixes. Fad diets may help in the
inches and men with a waist measurement of more than 40 inches may have more health risks short term, but the long-term results don’t appear to be any better than other diets. You may lose
than do people with smaller waist measurements weight on a crash diet, but you’re likely to regain it when you stop the diet.
Ÿ A general physical examination
Ÿ Blood tests. What tests you have to undergo depend on your health and risk factors Exercise and activity
Increased physical activity or exercise also is an essential part of obesity treatment. Most
TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT people who are able to maintain their weight loss for more than a year get regular exercise,
even simply walking.
The goal of obesity treatment is to reach and stay at a healthy weight. You may need to work with
a team of health professionals, including a nutritionist, dietitian, therapist or an obesity Behavior changes
specialist, to help understand and make changes in eating and activity habits. A behavior modification program can help you make lifestyle changes, lose weight and
keep it off. Examine your current habits to find out what factors, stresses or situations may
The initial goal is a modest weight loss - 5 to 10 percent of your total weight. That means that if have contributed to your obesity.
your weigh 200 pounds (91 kg) and are obese by BMI standards, you would need to lose only Behavior modification, sometimes called behavior therapy, can include:
about 10 to 20 pounds (4.5 to 9.1 kg) to start seeing benefits. Ÿ Counseling
Ÿ Support groups