This service is only for foreign residents in Korea. Overseas residents are not eligible.
EN

English consultation available — No language barrier

다이어트 기초·원인 이해
다이어트 기초·원인 이해

Q. What exactly is the abdominal fat percentage shown on an InBody scan? And why does it make it harder to lose weight when this percentage is high?

A.

Abdominal fat percentage indicates the concentration of body fat specifically around the midsection, rather than just overall weight gain. High levels are problematic because they increase insulin resistance and lower overall energy metabolism, leading to weight loss plateaus. While Western medicine views this as a 'fat-storage mode' due to impaired blood glucose control, Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) interprets this as a state where blood and energy circulation are blocked, causing a buildup of metabolic waste known as blood stasis (瘀血).

📝 Detailed Answer

Many patients feel frustrated when they experience localized abdominal weight gain despite eating less. A high abdominal fat percentage is a signal that visceral fat is accumulating and your body's 'metabolic switch' is beginning to turn off. When the hormone insulin cannot function efficiently, nutrients are stored directly as fat instead of being used for energy, creating a cycle where weight loss becomes incredibly difficult even with a calorie deficit. In Traditional Korean Medicine, this condition is viewed through the lens of Dam-eum (痰飮 - phlegm-fluid retention) and Eo-hyeol (瘀血 - blood stasis). Dam-eum refers to sticky metabolic waste created by poor fluid metabolism, while Eo-hyeol refers to stagnant, impure blood. Specifically, when a person enters a state of Bi-heo (脾虛 - Spleen deficiency/impaired digestive function), the body fails to absorb nutrients properly and instead accumulates waste, which accelerates the increase of abdominal fat. This is not a problem that can be solved simply by starving yourself. To truly ignite fat burning, you must first clear the blocked circulatory pathways and normalize your metabolic functions. I recommend we examine your current state of circulation together to determine the best personalized treatment plan.
#cause-explanation #cause-chain
Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Expert Verified

Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Chief Director

← Back to 다이어트 기초·원인 이해

Related Resources

Useful Next Reads

Current page What exactly is the abdominal fat percentage shown on an InBody scan? And why does it make it harder to lose weight when this percentage is high?

Continue with the most relevant guides and care pages.

Best Next Read Program

백록감비정

굶지 않고, 힘들지 않게. 표준 처방 태블릿으로 복용 설계(용량·시간)로 개인화하여 요요 없이 건강하게 체중 관리를 도와드립니다.

View program