International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health

Shehilla et al. Int J Community Med Public Health. 2025 Feb;12(2):751-754

http://www.ijcmph.com

pISSN 2394-6032 | eISSN 2394-6040

Original Research Article

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20250304

Evaluation of Mizāj in the students of KTCHRC and its association with their academic performances and BMI: a cross sectional study

Shehilla1*, Afshana Nabi2, Khalid Rahim Wani3

1Department of Tahaffuzi wa Samaji Tib, Kashmir Tibbia College, Hospital and Research Center, Shilvat, Sonawari, Jammu and Kashmir, India

2Department of Kulliyate Tib, Kashmir Tibbia College, Hospital and Research Center, Shilvat, Sonawari, Jammu and Kashmir, India

3Department of Ilaj Bil Tadbeer, Kashmir Tibbia College, Hospital and Research Center, Shilvat, Sonawari, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Received: 08 November 2024

Revised: 14 January 2025

Accepted: 15 January 2025

*Correspondence:

Dr. Shehilla,

E-mail: drshaila.aslam@gmail.com

Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

ABSTRACT

Background: Mizāj (Temperament) is the elementary fundamentals of Unani system of Medicine. Each person is born with innate Mizāj which is susceptible to variation through several influences. Upon this Mizāj, health and disease, diagnosis and treatment are based. This study aimed to assess the Mizāj of students at KTC-Hospital and Research Centre, examine its relationship with their academic performance, and explore the association between Mizāj and students' BMI.

Methods: Data was collected using a schedule and was analysed using statistical software namely Microsoft excel and SPSS Software.

Results: Highest percentage was of Mizāj Ḥārr Raṭab with 22 (21.4%), followed by 21(20.4%) Moatadil Yābis, 15(14.6%) Moatadil Raṭab. Out of 103 students, 70 were having BMI of 18.5-25 in which 14 have Mizāj Ḥārr Raṭab while 14 have Moatadil Wa Yābis. Most of students had secured 80-90% marks in their last exam out of which 9 have Moatadil Ratab, 8 have Ḥārr Yābis and 6 have Ḥārr Ratab Mizāj.

Conclusions: This study concludes that most students exhibited a Ḥārr Ratab Mizāj, aligning with descriptions in Unani literature for this age group. Furthermore, a notable correlation was observed between Ḥārr Ratab Mizāj and exceptional academic performance. Moreover, the findings support the Unani view on Rutubat's influence on weight, contrasting with the belief that obesity is mainly due to Burudat (coldness).

Keywords: B.M.I, Mizāj, Temperament

INTRODUCTION

The term Mizāj (Temperament) originates from Arabic and translates to Āmezish, Ikhtilāṭ, or Ṭabī‘at. In English, the word “temperament” derives from the Latin Tempero, meaning "to mix." Mizāj is a fundamental concept in the Unani System of Medicine, referring to the unique quality (Kayfiyat) formed in a Murakkab (compound) by the mixing and interaction of the Ustuqussāt Arba’a (four elements) in varying proportions.1-3 Human beings are also considered Murakkab, and they acquire their Mizāj in the uterus through the formation of Nuṭfa (zygote) after the blending of Mādda Manwīya. This Mādda Manwīya originates from the four elements-Juz’ Nārī (fiery), Mā’ī (watery), Hawā’ī (airy), and Juz’ Arḍī (earthy). The Mizāj provided to the foetus enables its survival and development both during foetal life and after birth in the external environment.2,4-6

Every individual possesses a unique temperament, which influences how they respond to various internal and external stimuli, such as drugs, climate, food, emotions, and bodily reactions.6,7

Hippocrates (460-370 BC) was the first to introduce the concept of Mizāj. According to the theory of Mizāj, every individual possesses an inherent temperament shaped by inborn strengths and weaknesses across various faculties, though it may experience temporary changes.8-12 An individual’s Mizāj not only determines their unique traits but also directly affects their health and susceptibility to illness. Based on this, Unani physicians classify personalities into four types: Damwī (sanguine), Balghamī (phlegmatic), Ṣafrāwī (bilious), and Sawdāwī (melancholic).13-19

This Mizāj is directly linked to the weight of the individual and to his academic performances. As far as the weight is concerned it is the Hararat which promotes the growth of lahem by acting upon Rutubat and Burudat acts as sabab-e-fail for shahem.4,6,10 This is the reason for more muscle mass in case of Ḥārr Mizāj and more fat content in the Barid Mizāj people.

Similarly, the academic performance governed by the efficiency in the functioning of brain is also attributed to the Mizāj of the individual. Ḥārr Mizāj people are usually more intelligent and quicker in learning process whereas the Barid Mizāj people are comparatively dull and slow in learning process.4,6,10

METHODS

This observational, college-based cross-sectional study targeted first- and second-year medical students over 18 years old attending the OPD of Tahaffuzi wa Samaji Tib. Conducted from May 1, 2023, to May 30, 2023, the study utilized a convenience sample of 110 students, with 103 completing the study after 7 participants dropped out. Students other than first- and second-year were excluded. Data collection was facilitated through a structured, pretested questionnaire, which included questions on demographic information and the Mojahedi Mizāj Questionnaire (MMQ). Participants were informed during the interview that the study aimed to raise awareness among them.

All narrative data were categorized into two main sections: demographic data and Mizāj. To ensure data quality, each completed questionnaire was manually reviewed prior to tabulation in Microsoft Excel. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS, with graphs and tables generated in Microsoft Word and Excel.

RESULTS

Out of the 110 students, 7 dropped out. Among 103 students, highest percentage was of Mizāj Ḥārr Raṭab with 22 (21.4%), followed by 21 (20.4%) Moatadil Yābis, 15 (14.6%) Moatadil Raṭab, 14 (13.6%) Ḥārr Yābis, 12 (11.7%), 8(7.8%) Bārid Yābis, 5 (4.9%) Bārid Raṭab and 5 (4.9%) Moatadil (Table 1).

Table 1: Distribution of students according to Mizāj (n=110).
Table reproduced from source PDF page 2

Out of 103 students, highest percentage 70 were having BMI of 18.5-25 in which 14 have Mizāj Ḥārr Raṭab and 14 have Moatadil Wa Yābis (Table 2).

Table 2: Distribution of students according to association between Mizāj and B.M. I (n=110).
Table reproduced from source PDF page 2, part 1 of 2
Table reproduced from source PDF page 3, part 2 of 2
Table 3: Distribution of students according to association between Mizāj and academic performance (n=110).
Table reproduced from source PDF page 3

Out of 103 students, highest number of students have 80-90% marks in the last exam out of which 9 have Moatadil Raṭab, 8 have Ḥārr Yābis and 6 have Ḥārr Raṭab Mizāj (Table 3).

DISCUSSION

According to Unani literature, human beings are classified into four age groups based on Mizāj. The first group, known as Sinn Nimu, typically has a Ḥārr Raṭab Mizāj and includes individuals aged 0-30 years. This study, conducted on first- and second-year students, mostly under 30, found that the majority had a Ḥārr Raṭab Mizāj, thus supporting the Unani physicians' assertion that this age group generally exhibits a Ḥārr Raṭab Mizāj. Out of 103 students, 70 had a BMI between 18.5 and 25, including 14 with Ḥārr Raṭab Mizāj and 14 with Moatadil Wa Yābis Mizāj. According to Unani literature, Ḥārr Raṭab Mizāj suggests greater muscle mass, as Rutubat (moistness) contributes to muscle and fat formation. When Ḥararat (warmth) is balanced with Rutubat, normal body weight is maintained, supporting the Unani view that individuals with Ḥārr Raṭab Mizāj typically have more Lahem (muscle).4,6,10 Nineteen students had a BMI of 25-30, classifying them as overweight or obese, including 8 with Ḥārr Raṭab Mizāj and 6 with Moatadil Raṭab Mizāj. This aligns with the Unani understanding regarding Rutubat's role in weight, though it diverges from the belief that obesity is primarily caused by Burudat (coldness). Additionally, 7 students with Moatadil Yubusat Mizāj had a BMI below 18.5, indicating underweight, which correlates with Unani literature attributing underweight conditions to a dominance of Yubusat (dryness).4,6,10 In this study, majority of students scored between 80-90% on their last exam, including 9 with Moatadil Raṭab, 8 with Ḥārr Yābis, and 6 with Ḥārr Raṭab Mizāj. This supports the Unani belief that individuals with Ḥārr Mizāj tend to be more intelligent and quicker in the learning process.4,6,10

Despite being conducted with commendable rigor, this study has certain limitations. The lack of prior research in this area confined correlations to classical literature. Moreover, some pertinent literature was inaccessible due to language barriers, as translation was not feasible, thereby posing an additional limitation.

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that most students exhibited a Ḥārr Raṭab Mizāj, aligning with Unani literature for their age group. It also highlights an association between excellent academic performance and a Ḥārr Raṭab Mizāj. Additionally, the findings support the Unani view on Rutubat's influence on weight, contrasting with the belief that obesity is mainly due to Burudat (coldness).

Funding: No funding sources

Conflict of interest: None declared

Ethical approval: The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee

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