Q. I heard that the causes of obesity differ by body constitution. What criteria do you use to analyze this?

Yes, taking a constitution-based approach is a key feature of our Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic. I myself used to stick to a single diet method and ended up wasting effort. When each patient has a different constitution, using the same prescription yields little effect. So let me outline how we analyze the causes of obesity based on constitution. ✓ The first criterion is 'digestion and bowel movements.' If you feel bloated for a long time after eating, or frequently alternate between constipation and diarrhea, we suspect spleen deficiency (biheo). When spleen function is weak, food is not properly absorbed and instead accumulates as fat. Conversely, if digestion is good but you often feel hungry with cravings, there is a possibility of a phlegm-fluid (dameum) constitution. ✓ The second criterion looks at 'body shape and sweat distribution.' If fat is concentrated in the upper body and the nape of the neck becomes thick, the cause is often qi stagnation (giche) or blood stasis (eohyeol). Poor blood circulation tends to let waste accumulate in the upper body. On the other hand, if the lower body is particularly heavy and swollen with little sweating, we view it as water toxicity (sudok)—a state where fluid metabolism is not smooth. ✓ The third criterion is 'personality and stress type.' If stress triggers explosive appetite—especially cravings for late-night snacks or sweets—we consider liver depression (ganul), where liver function is constrained. Conversely, if you barely eat even under stress yet still gain weight, kidney deficiency (sinheo) is a possibility. ✓ Combining these criteria, we classify you into one of the four main constitutions and then identify the predominant cause. For example, Taeumin (Greater Yin type) often have underlying spleen deficiency accompanied by phlegm-fluid. Soeumin (Lesser Yin type) tend toward kidney deficiency, while Soyangin (Lesser Yang type) may have liver heat (ganyeol) affecting obesity. ✓ The important point is that constitution diagnosis does not give a 'correct answer' but rather a 'direction.' Knowing which cause contributes most helps reduce unnecessary trial and error. For instance, if you have a spleen deficiency constitution but attempt extreme fasting diets, you will only deplete your energy and end up with a body that gains weight more easily. Based on this constitutional information, our clinic offers personalized approaches tailored to each individual.