Childhood Obesity

Q Can childhood obesity progressing to adult obesity be prevented?

A. Correcting digestive function early can lower the likelihood of progression to adult obesity.

Q Isn't treatment difficult if the child has no willpower?

A. Because the approach regulates digestive function rather than relying on willpower, it places little burden on the child's cooperation.

Q If a child has obesity, should we also be concerned about precocious puberty?

A. Digestive damp-heat can also affect hormonal balance, so the two are sometimes addressed together.

Q How should I get my child to exercise?

A. Rather than intense exercise, low-impact activities the child enjoys, such as walking and swimming, are most suitable.

Q I'm looking for a childhood obesity clinic in Dong-gu, Incheon. Do you also provide lifestyle guidance?

A. At Dongjedang Korean Medicine Clinic, we provide dietary and lifestyle guidance along with prescriptions.

Q Is herbal medicine safe for a growing child?

A. We adjust the strength of the prescription to suit the child's constitution, so it does not affect growth.

Q I'm worried it might affect liver function.

A. We use low-dose pediatric formulas and can monitor liver function if needed.

Q Can growth hormone treatment and herbal medicine be used together?

A. They can generally be combined, but it is important to share the details of each prescription with both your doctor and Korean medicine practitioner.

Q Doesn't weight rebound occur after Korean medicine treatment?

A. Because the treatment improves digestive function itself, weight tends not to rebound significantly afterward.

Q How long does treatment usually take?

A. It varies with the degree of obesity and the child's constitution, but the general guideline is three to six months.

Q What is the main cause of weight gain in children?

A. When digestive function weakens, damp-heat and phlegm accumulate, leading to weight gain.

Q What is the relationship between processed foods and childhood obesity?

A. The excess sugar and fat in processed foods damage the digestive system and promote phlegm accumulation.

Q Are there specific foods that worsen childhood obesity?

A. Sugary drinks, flour-based foods, and greasy processed foods increase digestive damp-heat.

Q What examinations or assessments will be done at the first visit?

A. We assess the state of the digestive system and degree of phlegm through body measurements, abdominal palpation, pulse diagnosis, and tongue diagnosis.

Q How often do we need to visit?

A. Initially about once every two weeks, then about once a month once the condition stabilizes.

Q What stages does treatment proceed through?

A. It proceeds in stages: restoring digestive function, clearing phlegm, and stabilizing body composition.

Q Does Korean medicine treatment actually reduce a child's weight?

A. Rather than focusing on weight loss, the approach stabilizes body composition while maintaining healthy growth.

Q Can appetite be controlled with Korean medicine as well?

A. When digestive function is regulated, excessive appetite naturally decreases.