Analysis of Oriental Obesity Pattern Identification Questionnaire on Overweight and Obese Korean Adult Women

과체중 및 비만 성인 여성의 비만변증 설문 결과 분석

Objectives We aimed to explore obesity pattern among overweight and obese Korean adult women using oriental obesity pattern identification questionnaire. Methods This survey was performed using data of 83 overweight and obese women aged from 20 to 55 yrs (BMI ${\geq}\;23\;kg/m^2$ : n=18, BMI ${\geq}\;25\;kg/m^2$ :ｎ=65) in Seoul, from 2007 to 2008. Subjects were given written consent and this study was performed under the permission of institutional review board of Kyung-Hee East-west Neo Medical Center. Results 1. The distribution of oriental obesity pattern identification did not show any differences between obese and overweight group(p>0.05). 2. The ratio of significantly-scored oriental pattern identification was ordered by Stagnation of the liver Qi(肝欝, 21.7%) > Indigestion(食積, 18.1%) > Spleen deficiency(脾虚, 16.9%) > Yang deficiency(陽虚, 14.5%) (n=83). 3. The frequency of top-scored oriental obesity pattern was ordered by Stagnation of the liver Qi(肝欝, 36.1%) > Indigestion(食積, 24.1%) > Yang deficiency (陽虚, 15.7%) (n=83). 4. The frequency of oriental obesity pattern identification was ordered by Stagnation of the liver Qi(肝欝, 41.7%) > Indigestion(食積, 29.2%) > Yang deficiency(陽虚, 12.5%) > Stagnation of the liver Qi and Yang deficiency(肝欝兼陽虚, 8.3%) (n=24). Conclusions In Korean adult overweight and obese women, Stagnation of the liver Qi(肝欝), Indigestion(食積), and Yang deficiency (陽虚) were found to be the main pathology based on oriental obesity pattern identification questionnaire. It suggests that not only physical status but also general condition and emotional problem should be concerned in treatment of obesity. This study could play a role as a preliminary data of oriental obesity pattern identification.