Q. I got an InBody test, and my abdominal fat ratio is 0.81. What exactly does this mean, and why is it hindering my weight loss journey?

I remember feeling quite overwhelmed when I saw a similar number on my own results in the past. A Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) of 0.81 is the value obtained by dividing your waist circumference by your hip circumference; think of it as a 'metabolic report card' that reveals at a glance where fat is being concentrated in your body. The reason you must monitor this metric during weight loss is that visceral fat significantly disrupts your hormonal balance. Excessive abdominal fat often leads to 'insulin resistance,' a state where insulin cannot perform its role effectively. This tricks your body into thinking it lacks energy, causing you to crave more food while storing what you eat as fat instead of burning it—creating a frustrating vicious cycle of weight gain. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we interpret this condition through the concepts of 'Spleen Deficiency (脾虛)' and 'Phlegm-fluid (痰飮).' The Spleen is responsible for governing digestion and metabolism; when this function is weakened (Spleen Deficiency), nutrients are not fully converted into energy and instead remain as a sticky waste product known as Phlegm-fluid. This waste tends to accumulate around the abdomen, obstructing systemic circulation and leading to 'Blood Stasis (瘀血),' which further stagnates the blood. This explains why some individuals find it nearly impossible to lose weight specifically in the abdominal area. True weight loss in this scenario is not simply about starving yourself. It is essential to facilitate the flow of blocked 'Qi' and revitalize Spleen function to reactivate your dormant metabolic switches. Let's begin your real health journey by identifying exactly where your body's internal flow has become congested.