What stages does a diet program usually involve?
A program can be divided into assessment of current health, adjustment of eating and activity, and maintenance with reassessment. Its duration and treatment methods vary with medical history and response.
At the beginning, weight changes, eating, sleep, activity, digestion, current medicines, and existing conditions are reviewed to set goals and priorities. Constitutional classification is one Korean-medicine perspective for interpreting this information.
Reduced digestion and cold sensations may be considered from the perspective of spleen qi deficiency (脾虛), while heat sensations or stress-related overeating may be considered as liver qi constraint (肝鬱). Even if herbal medicine or acupuncture is considered, it is chosen as an adjunct only after personal status and safety are reviewed.
The next step is to see whether eating and activity can actually be sustained and to reassess weight, waist circumference, and symptoms. Rather than promising a fixed program length or visit interval, care is adjusted according to the clinical response.
Clinician review