Cross sectional study to estimate the morbidity pattern in ascetics visited to a largest religious gathering in west central part of India

BACKGROUND: Ascetics are otherworldly creatures that have thought of being ethereal. To be spiritual one has to be physically fit because a healthy body has an intimate connection with spiritual health. METHODS: Cross sectional survey was accomplished in a festive gathering to estimate morbidity pattern among ascetics in central India. RESULTS: The sample size was 960. 352 participants (36.6%) were either overweight or obese, 284 participants (29.6%) had hypertension, 236 (24.6%) were diagnosed with cataract and 194 (20.2%) had anemia, Diabetes was found in 58 participants (6%) and 28 (2.9%) had fever. CONCLUSION: Obesity (and overweight) and hypertension were the top two morbidities came across during study. Morbidities were found to be more associated with socio-demographical factors than spirituality.