Q. What exactly does a body fat percentage calculator like InBody measure, and why is it important for dieting?

I once thought only exercise mattered and ran aimlessly, only to lose muscle and retain fat—it was frustrating. From that experience, I can say that body composition is far more important than mere weight. Medically, the body consists of water, protein, and fat. Body fat calculators use a weak electric current to measure resistance: fat resists current, while muscle conducts it. Traditional Korean Medicine views this more holistically. Excess fat is not all the same—it may be due to phlegm-fluid (痰飮, dam-eum) from accumulated waste obstructing qi and blood circulation, or blood stasis (瘀血, eohyeol) causing severe edema from stagnant blood flow. Especially in cases of spleen deficiency (脾虛, biheo) where digestion and absorption are weak, even small meals easily store energy as fat. Accurately knowing your body composition allows for targeted 'emptying' tailored to your condition, not just starving. Understanding your current state is the fastest path forward—let's find the right direction together.