Q. I look thin overall, but I have a belly. Is there a way to check if I have 'skinny fat' at home?

In the past, I have seen many people try to lose weight through extreme fasting, only to find that while their weight dropped, they felt exhausted and their belly remained protruded. This is a common struggle. 'Skinny fat' refers to a condition where body weight is within a normal range, but muscle mass is low and body fat percentage is high. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is often associated with 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛), where the Spleen's function is weakened, leading to inefficient nutrient absorption and energy metabolism. During this process, metabolic waste known as 'phlegm-fluid' (Dam-eum, 痰飮) accumulates, causing fat to concentrate specifically in the abdominal area. Here is a simple checklist you can use at home: ✓ Your waist circumference is disproportionately large compared to your overall weight. ✓ You feel easily fatigued and lethargic even with minimal activity. ✓ Your arms and legs are slender, but your lower abdomen is convex. ✓ You experience extreme drowsiness or slow digestion after meals. ✓ You frequently crave or consume sugary foods and refined flour. If many of these apply, the issue is not simply 'needing to lose weight,' but rather 'needing to revitalize your metabolism.' In particular, the presence of 'blood stasis' (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血)—stagnant or impure blood—can hinder circulation, making it easier for fat to accumulate in specific areas. Blindly fasting can worsen the situation by further depleting your muscle mass. It is crucial to identify which parts of your body are deficient and where waste has accumulated to receive a tailored management plan. If you are concerned, we invite you to visit our clinic for a comprehensive assessment of your current physical condition.