Rising obesity among Indian women underscores need for preconception interventions

Nearly one in three Indian women between the ages of 15 and 49 is now overweight or obese, according to data released by the Central government. This figure has increased from one in four women just five years ago, as revealed in the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6). The survey found that 30.7% of women in this age group were overweight or obese in 2023-24, up from 24% in the previous survey (2019-21). The proportion of overweight or obese men in the same age group rose from 22.9% to 27.3%.

Medical professionals are increasingly recognizing the importance of health before conception, as lifestyle-related disorders can negatively impact fertility and pregnancy. Doctors and health practitioners are now focusing more on the preconception period, emphasizing the need to identify and address health risks in both prospective parents.

This approach is not new to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, which has described a pre-conception regimen called garbhadana samskara. This regimen aims to prepare prospective parents physically and mentally before conception.

The SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital in Udupi, Karnataka, has begun offering structured pre-conception counseling and care to couples from various parts of south India. The institution's principal and senior obstetrician, Mamatha K.V., describes this approach as "conscious preparation for conception." The process involves assessing the health of both partners, providing advice on diet, lifestyle, and other factors that can influence reproductive health.

Pre-conception consultations can help identify risks, review medications, address nutritional deficiencies, and encourage healthier lifestyles before pregnancy.

In Ayurveda, conception is considered through four factors: ritu (appropriate fertile period), kshetra (a healthy reproductive tract), beeja (healthy sperm and ovum), and ambu (adequate nourishment). Interventions are tailored to these factors, including dietary and lifestyle changes and, where necessary, traditional therapies. However, these traditional interventions must be individualized and clinically supervised.