Obesity
Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease caused by multiple factors. Obesity not attributable to an endocrine disorder or another specific cause that may lead to obesity is known as simple obesity.
People with obesity have excessive visceral fat accumulation and/or an abnormal fat distribution, usually accompanied by increased body weight. When excess fat is concentrated mainly in the abdominal wall and abdominal cavity, this is known as “central” or “abdominal” obesity and can have a substantial impact on metabolism. Central obesity is one of the most important risk factors for a range of chronic diseases.
TCM Pattern Identification and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Obesity, fatigue and weakness, heaviness and sluggishness in the limbs, poor appetite, abdominal fullness, a thin, slightly greasy tongue coating, and a pale-red tongue body
In Plain Language:
- Higher body weight and a heavier build, with a somewhat bulky appearance.
- Frequent tiredness and fatigue, with low energy for everyday activities.
- A feeling of heaviness and sluggishness in the limbs and body, often more noticeable when moving around.
- Poor appetite and little desire to eat.
- Abdominal fullness and discomfort, often with a feeling of pressure in the abdomen.
- The tongue coating is relatively thin but greasy in appearance.
- The tongue is pale red overall, without a vivid color.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Strengthen the spleen and transform dampness
In Plain Language:
- Aims to support the spleen and stomach and promote the transformation and movement of fluids, with the intention of easing discomfort such as poor appetite, abdominal bloating, loose stools, or a heavy feeling in the body.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Obesity, rapid digestion with excessive hunger, thirst and a preference for drinking, a red tongue body, and a greasy, slightly yellow tongue coating
In Plain Language:
- A heavier build, with a relatively high body weight and a bulky appearance.
- Feeling hungry again soon after eating and often wanting to eat.
- Frequent thirst and a preference for drinking more water for relief.
- The tongue looks redder than usual.
- The tongue coating is greasy and slightly yellow.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Clear stomach heat, regulate qi, and transform dampness
In Plain Language:
- Aims to clear stomach heat, with the intention of easing symptoms such as thirst, bad breath, red and swollen gums, a burning sensation in the upper abdomen, or acid reflux.
- Aims to regulate the movement of qi and transform dampness, with the intention of easing discomfort such as chest tightness, abdominal bloating, poor appetite, a heavy feeling in the body, or a thick, greasy tongue coating.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Obesity, fullness and discomfort in the chest and flanks, epigastric distension and fullness, menstrual irregularity, amenorrhea, insomnia with vivid dreams, a wiry, thin pulse, and a dark-red tongue body
In Plain Language:
- A heavier build.
- A feeling of distension and tightness in the chest and along the ribs, with uncomfortable pressure.
- A feeling of fullness and blockage in the upper abdomen.
- Irregular periods, with the timing and amount of menstrual bleeding varying.
- Menstruation has stopped.
- Restless sleep, difficulty sleeping, and frequent vivid dreams.
- The pulse feels taut and thin.
- The tongue is dark red.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Soothe the liver and regulate qi
In Plain Language:
- Aims to soothe liver qi and regulate the flow of qi, with the intention of easing discomfort such as fullness in the chest and flanks, low mood, or difficulty belching.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Obesity, fatigue and weakness, soreness and weakness in the lower back and legs, a deep, thin, weak pulse, a thin tongue coating, and a pale-red tongue body
In Plain Language:
- A heavier build and relatively high body weight, with a somewhat bulky appearance.
- Frequent fatigue and weakness, with low energy for everyday activities.
- Soreness in the lower back and weakness in both legs, which may become more noticeable with activity.
- The pulse feels deep, thin, and weak when pressed.
- The tongue coating is relatively thin and not heavy.
- The tongue is pale red and lacks a vivid color.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Tonify the spleen and kidneys
In Plain Language:
- Aims to support spleen qi and its digestive function, with the intention of easing discomfort such as poor appetite, fatigue, abdominal bloating, or loose stools.
- Aims to support kidney qi and strengthen the body’s foundation, with the intention of easing signs such as soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, aversion to cold and cold limbs, or low energy.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Obesity, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, heat in the palms, soles, and chest, a rapid, wiry pulse, a red tongue tip, and a thin tongue coating
In Plain Language:
- A heavier build.
- Soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees.
- A frequent feeling of heat in the palms, soles, and chest.
- The pulse is rapid and taut.
- The tip of the tongue is red, and the tongue coating is relatively thin.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Nourish yin and clear heat
In Plain Language:
- Aims to nourish yin fluids in the body, with the intention of easing discomfort such as dry mouth and throat, restlessness, night sweats, or heat in the palms and soles.
- Aims to clear deficiency heat, with the intention of easing signs such as hot flashes, insomnia, facial flushing, or a feeling of heat in the body.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China. Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Overweight and Obesity in Chinese Adults [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2006.
- Du Shufa, Zhai Fengying, Ge Keyou, et al. Body mass index distribution among Chinese adults [J]. Journal of Hygiene Research, 2001, 30(6): 339–342.
- Collaborative Group on Analysis of Data from the China Obesity Task Force. Predictive value of body mass index and waist circumference for risk factors related to diseases in Chinese adults: a study of appropriate cut-off points for body mass index and waist circumference [J]. Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, 2002, 23(1): 5–10.
- Chen Chunming. Report Collection of the 1998 National Food and Nutrition Monitoring Program: Appendix [J]. Journal of Hygiene Research, 2000, 29(5): 329.
- China Obesity Task Force, International Life Sciences Institute Focal Point in China. Brief introduction to recommendations for the classification of body mass index in Chinese adults [J]. Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2001, 35(5): 349–350.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, Volume 3 [S]. Beijing: China Medical Science Press, 2010.
- National Essential Medicines List. National Essential Medicines List: Medicines for Primary Health Care Institutions (2009 Edition) [M]. Beijing: China Legal Publishing House, 2009: 4–5.