Win “Battle of Bulge” with sword of Homoeopathy…

Dr. Smita Gautam

Consultant Homeopath & Yoga Therapist

Till about two decades ago, the issue of overweight was emerging as a public health concern primarily in children of developed western countries. However, Asian countries such as India have also caught up with this phenomenon. India is now being considered a fast weight gaining nation, ironically, at the same time it is also struggling with malnutrition. According to various studies, the current prevalence of childhood overweight in India could range from 4% to 22%. Obesity is mainly observed in urban children as young as three years up to 12 years. Out of every 10 urban children, at least three are obese and overweight. Most of these over-fed children belong to well-to-do upper and upper-middle class families.

Causes of obesity in children

As everyone already knows that children are becoming heavier, environmental and hereditary factors play the major role in childhood obesity. In only 5 to 10 percent cases endocrine, syndromic or CNS causes are implicated. The causes of childhood obesity may be following:

More and more children live in cities and suburbs where walking and other physical activities are discouraged by the design and the lifestyle.
There’s an increased consumption of fast food, which is high in calories and fat.
There’s a decrease in physical activities at school and after school. Children are usually driven to and from school. After school, the time that previous generations spent running around in the outdoors is now used for watching TV, surfing the Internet, and playing video games.
Endocrine –Growth Hormone Disorder, hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome
Genetic syndromes- Prader-Willi, Laurence-Moon-Biedl, Turner.
CNS lesions – infection, surgery, radiation, craniopharyngioma
Miscellaneous-steroids, anti-epileptics.

Complications associated with obesity:

If proper treatment is not taken this may lead to further complications:

Congestive heart failure, hypertension, dyslipidemia, left ventricular hypertrophy.
Dyspnoea & fatigue, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma.
Stroke, Pseudo tumor cerebri.
Degenerative arthritis, low back pain, Blount’s disease.
Type 2DM, PCOS, Infertility.
GERD, Reflux oesophagitis.
Bipolar disorder, Depression/ Low self –esteem, Behaviour abnormalities.

Homeopathic treatment of childhood obesity

Homoeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat childhood obesity but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. Dealing with obesity has to be directed to achieving two goals:

Prevention: Homoeopathy can be an important part of these efforts. By eliminating the need to take conventional medications that are known to cause weight gain, such as hormones and antipsychotic medications, homoeopathy helps to significantly decrease the number of obese children.
Treatment: Some children who are seemingly healthy still have a tendency to eat more than they need to and to become overweight. Constitutional treatment of these children addresses their core issues and ultimately helps resolve this problem, too.

Homeopathy treatment for obesity

As causatives are different, each person is not alike; homoeopathy treats with its individualistic approach. Constitutionally there are remedies that help with basic constitutional types that often have tendency to be overweight like, Antim Crud, Calcaria Carbonicum, Graphitis, Lycopodium, Natrum muriaticum, Nux Vomica, Phytolacca and many more. Homeopathic remedies for weight loss help in reducing weight by balancing the hormones and regulating the metabolic processes. The best part is that it is safe in all ages, non- harming, gives long lasting effects. Rational eating habits and exercise can make children strong and fit no matter what their innate structure and size are.