Obesity Care: Inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita

Dr SANJAY KALRA; Dr AMEYA JOSHI; Dr SOURABH SHARMA; Dr SURESH SHARMA; Dr BHARTI KALRA; Dr MADHUR VERMA; Dr LEEPIKA KAPOOR; Dr SUNEET VERMA; Dr HANJABAM BARUN SHARMA; Dr NARENDRA KOTWAL

doi:10.59793/8etae953

Authors

Dr SANJAY KALRA Treasurer, International Society of Endocrinology (ISE); Vice President, South Asian Obesity Forum (SOF); Bharti Hospital, Karnal, Haryana, India
Dr AMEYA JOSHI Dept. of Endocrinology, Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Dr SOURABH SHARMA Dept. of Nephrology, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
Dr SURESH SHARMA Principal, College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Dr BHARTI KALRA Dept. of Obstetrics, Bharti Hospital, Karnal, Haryana, India
Dr MADHUR VERMA Dept. of Community/Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab, India
Dr LEEPIKA KAPOOR Dept. of Dietetics, Naruvi Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
Dr SUNEET VERMA Dept. of Medicine, Alchemist Hospital, Panchkula, Haryana, India; Sparsh Clinic, Panchkula, Haryana, India
Dr HANJABAM BARUN SHARMA Dept. of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dr NARENDRA KOTWAL Dept. of Endocrinology, Paras Hospital, Panchkula, Haryana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59793/8etae953

Keywords:

Motivational therapeutics,, obesity, overweight,, person-centered medicine,, psychosocial,, semaglutide,, tirzepatide

Abstract

Obesity has emerged as a major health challenge. While effective drugs are now available, intensive behavioral therapy (IBT)
remains the keystone of obesity management. IBT is required to manage weight and maintain health. However, motivational
therapeutics is a challenging field of medicine. In this editorial, we take inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita to help understand
the need to fight obesity, and the means of doing so. Arjuna can be viewed as a metaphor for the person living with obesity,
who is confused about whether to attempt weight loss or not. Lord Krishna offers a balanced viewpoint, including an attitude
of equanimity, moderation in diet and exercise; focus on spiritual (and psychosocial) health, and use of evidence-based
person-centered medicine.