I look thin overall, but I have a protruding belly. Why does 'skinny fat' happen?
Skinny obesity typically occurs when a decrease in muscle mass coincides with an increase in visceral fat. Reduced activity and irregular eating habits lead to a lower basal metabolic rate, causing excess energy to accumulate as visceral fat. From a TKM perspective, this is viewed as a state of impaired digestive absorption or stagnant Qi and Blood circulation due to the accumulation of metabolic waste.
Many people experience this when a hectic lifestyle leads to skipping meals or relying on caffeine, resulting in a protruding abdomen despite a stable overall weight. In modern medical terms, this is a phenomenon where fat fills the space left by diminishing muscle. High intake of refined carbohydrates and sugars increases insulin resistance, primarily directing fat storage toward the abdominal area.
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is analyzed through three primary perspectives:
First is Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛). When the Spleen's function is weakened, the body fails to properly absorb nutrients and transport them to the muscles, leaving behind metabolic residues.
Second is Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮). When fluid metabolism is dysfunctional, waste products accumulate like thick mucus within the body, manifesting as localized fat deposits.
Third is Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血). When blood becomes turbid and circulation is impaired, stagnation occurs, causing fat to concentrate in specific areas.
Ultimately, treating 'skinny fat' is not about simple weight loss, but about restoring metabolic balance and optimizing the body's condition to effectively build muscle. It is essential to identify which specific area of your internal circulation is stagnant.
Clinician review