Q. What exactly is the average body fat percentage for women, and why does it affect weight loss?

Many people make the mistake of focusing solely on the number on the scale through extreme fasting and exercise, only to find that their body composition remains unchanged. The key is not the total weight, but the 'components' of that weight. From a modern medical perspective, excessive body fat causes adipocytes to release inflammatory cytokines, which increases insulin resistance. When blood glucose regulation is disrupted, the body automatically switches into a 'fat-storage mode.' In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this condition is interpreted through the concepts of 'Dam-eum' (phlegm-fluid retention) and 'Eo-hyeol' (blood stasis). Dam-eum refers to unnecessary metabolic waste accumulating in the body, while Eo-hyeol refers to a state where blood circulation is obstructed and becomes viscous. When these residues block the flow of Qi and Blood, the body feels heavy and lethargic, and the body clings to fat instead of burning it. If this is coupled with 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency/weak digestive system), the process becomes even more complex. A weakened Spleen hinders both nutrient absorption and excretion, allowing 'dampness' (Sip) to accumulate—the true culprit behind a rising body fat percentage. Therefore, body fat percentage is not just about aesthetics; it is a dashboard indicating where your body's 'combustion system' is malfunctioning. I believe that a sustainable diet without the yo-yo effect starts from accurately reading your metabolic state and receiving a customized prescription based on those findings.