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Pediatrics

Obesity in Children: A Modern Understanding of CM Treatment & Prevention

Dr. Captaine Jean Lumenello, DAc |

Childhood obesity rates in the United States have reached a record high. In the 1960s – 1970s, instances of childhood and adolescent obesity were relatively rare. With rates stable at 4 – 5 %, obesity was only seen in about 1 in 20 children between the ages of 2 – 19. In the past 50 years, that number has risen to well over 20%, or 1 in 5 young people. Even more dramatic is the increase in Class 3 or ‘severe’ obesity, which has risen from 1% fifty years ago to 7 – 9% today: in other words, close to 1 in 10 children are now considered severely obese.[1]

Obesity itself is a western medicine term, defined by the categories of the Body Mass Index / BMI.[2] The BMI examines weight by percentile, with healthy weight being above the 5th and below the 85th percentile, and overweight being from 85th to 94th percentile. Obesity starts at the 95th percentile, and is generally classified into 3 categories:

  • Class I Obesity: above the 95th percentile
  • Class II Obesity: 120% to < 140% of the 95th percentile
  • Class III Obesity: ≥ 140% of the 95th percentile[3]

The table below shows the basic difference between these weight ranges by using the example of a 10-year-old female / AFAB of average height.

Example: 10 y.o female of average height – 4’6”

Weight Category Percentile Weight Range
70 pounds Healthy Weight 50th (exact) 58-82 pounds
85 pounds Overweight 85th to 94th percentile 83-94 pounds
100 pounds Class 1 Obesity above 95th percentile 95-113 pounds
115 pounds Class 2 Obesity ≥120% to <140% of the 95th percentile 114-132 pounds
At or over 133 pounds Class 3 'Severe' Obesity ≥140% of the 95th percentile


child with parent cooking healthy meal

The causes of obesity according to western medicine are likely not surprising. Diet is still considered the primary cause of weight gain and obesity for children, mainly focused on the imbalance of caloric intake to activity level.[4] Increased calories have snuck into the American diet through ‘liquid calories’ (soda, sports / energy drinks, and fruit juices), increased portion sizes, and Ultra-processed food (UPFs).[5] Lifestyle concerns – like living in ‘food deserts’ where access to healthier food options are limited, lack of physical movement not properly burning calories, poor or limited sleep disrupting hormones, and extreme stress triggering cortisol release – provide other well-substantiated factors to the puzzle of weight gain. Genetics – including metabolism, genetic mutations, and autoimmune conditions – as well as medication side effects can also influence weight. Although more research is needed to fully flesh out the details, it has also become clear that the gut microbiome plays a role in weight maintenance as well.

Chinese Medicine & Dampness

In Chinese medicine (CM), excess weight is traditionally associated with the Dampness pathogen. In this theory, Dampness cannot arise on its own, even if there is an overly rich diet. For if a person were eating too much naturally Damp (or Damp-Heat) engendering foods, they would feel overly full, bloated, and too nauseous to keep eating beyond tolerance.[6] If this were done only occasionally (like holidays and birthdays), and ‘healthy weight’ is a 20+ pound range, then another mechanism must be at play for a person to become substantially overweight. Humid environments can play a part, but Dampness must be associated with one or more of four pre-existing conditions in order to accumulate beyond the digestive system: Earth (Spleen – Stomach) Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Phlegm – Damp, or Qi Stagnation in the Middle Jiao, all of which prevent proper ‘separation of clear and turbid’, allowing Dampness to accumulate.

Treatment of an overweight child therefore revolves around adjusting diet to tonify the Spleen, warm the Yang, move Stagnation, and clear Phlegm – Damp, along with mild – moderate daily exercise to strengthen the muscles and joints, as these tissues correspond to the Earth Element. Herbal formulae, like Si Jun Zi, Bu Zhong Yi Qi, Jin Gui Shen Qi, Xiao Yao, and Er Chen can easily ‘jump start’ the process depending on the predominant patterns and are especially necessary for additional support in the case of deficiency.

Obesity, however, is not a Dampness condition. Obesity is a Phlegm condition and therefore must be addressed differently. We must ask then, what is Phlegm? When Dampness lingers, it is affected by natural body heat, which over time thickens and congeals the turbid fluids into Phlegm. Once Phlegm forms, it becomes an independent disease-causing factor that blocks proper Qi and Blood flow within the body. Phlegm does this by disabling the Qi mechanism ruled by the Liver, and the proper movement of fluids pertaining to the San Jiao. In this ancient understanding, obesity in young children should be close to impossible because the process of Dampness congealing to Phlegm such that it becomes a self-engendering pathogen should take years to develop, and the exuberant Yang Qi of a growing child would never sit still enough for sedentary lifestyle to be a strong factor. In the modern era however, constant access to UPF’s has allowed over-exposure to a whole new category of ‘Phlegm-engendering foods.’

So, what is a ‘Phlegm-engendering food’? Ultra-processed foods use ingredients, processing techniques, and copious amounts of sugar, salt, and fat to create unique ‘food products.’ The digestive organs are completely unprepared to discern this combination of flavors, substances, and chemical alterations. The resulting ‘confusion’ is overly challenging to Spleen and Stomach Qi, creating problems in the proper breakdown of ‘clear versus turbid’ no matter the individual constitution, environmental influence, or amount of movement and exercise.

There are, however, plenty of kids that eat UPFs and are not obese. To explain this, let’s go back to our Chinese medicine roots, where the primary cause and treatment modality for any illness starts with constitution. What defines constitution can vary within the field, but it is the nine classical types that are useful when looking at body weight. These constitutions are Ping He / Peaceful (Neutral), Qi Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Yin Deficiency, Tan Shi / Phlegm – Damp, Shi Re / Damp – Heat, Xue Yu / Blood Stasis, Qi Yu / Qi Depression, and Te Bing / Special which relates to issues of Jing Deficiency or genetic health concerns. I already mentioned Earth / Spleen (Qi) Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Tan Shi / Phlegm – Damp, and Qi Stagnation as aligning easily with weight gain, but with UPFs dramatically increasing the likelihood of Phlegm accumulation, we must now add Yin Deficiency, Shi Re / Damp – Heat, and Te Bing / Special to the list of vulnerable constitutions.[7] What is missing on this list are only two of the nine classical types – Ping He / Peaceful (Neutral) and Xue Yu / Blood Stasis – which means that because of UPFs many people are now at increased risk of excessive weight gain and obesity.

Skeptics might point toward sedentary lifestyle as a greater dominating factor than constitution and UPF intake. I would argue that the restricted movements of urban environments, unsafe outdoor spaces, lack of resources for activities, or overcontrolling parents would turn inward into the Qi Stagnation pattern (i.e., not a constitutional type). This would likely present as a child with extreme emotional outbursts, but not necessarily excess weight or obesity. From extreme stagnation, Heat will always build; this can transform into Yang Rising, thicken any accumulated Dampness, and send the combined Phlegm – Heat upwards! I’ve seen this plenty of times in practice, with emotional lability and a mix of chronic ear infections, sinus infections, acne, rosacea, ADHD diagnoses, migraines, or other Upper Jiao concerns – but I have never seen this pattern alone create obesity in a child.

Something I consider to be a much more important factor than activity level is that of rest. We all know that rest and meditation are the highest forms of self-healing, and lack of proper rest is one of the fastest paths toward any disease. Research shows that 6 – 7 out of 10 school aged children are chronically sleep deprived. On top of that, children are also subject to mental stressors that interfere with the ability to rest, including school and activity schedules, academic testing, and family dynamics. Chronic mental stress leads to Yin Deficiency, and when this pattern (or constitution) combines with Qi Stagnation, excess weight can follow.

Why? With a Yin Deficiency pattern, individuals are frequently drawn toward more Damp producing foods (like wheat, dairy, etc.) that – although not properly nourishing – can quickly satiate the sense of vacuity. Liver Qi Stagnation patterns caused by stress easily lead to Wood invading Earth, disrupting the ability to properly process foods into fuel. Adding in the restricted movement mentioned above, the exhausted, Stagnant Qi child will build the Heat, Yang Rising, and Upper Jiao symptoms already mentioned. But then combine Yin Deficiency and Qi Stagnation with the Phlegm-engendering UPFs and depletion of the Earth Element? That combination does create the conditions for weight gain.

Mentioned throughout Chinese medical history are some general dietary concerns that can lead to weight gain: timing of meals – especially too late at night causing food stagnation and eventual Stomach Qi depletion – stress with eating causing Qi Stagnation in the Middle Jiao, excessive cooling foods contributing to Yang Deficiency, and the Te Bing / Special Constitution, such as with Celiac disease. Looking at these factors, the most important constitutions for weight gain would have been Te Bing and Qi Deficiency Constitutions, since a child’s Stomach Qi should be strong enough to manage occasional evening snacks and cooling foods. Further, physical movement between meals would alleviate any food stagnation caused by late eating or stressful environments. In the modern era however, access to out-of-season foods, frozen foods, inflammatory foods like sugar and caffeine, and UPFs, as well as hormone exposure, medication side effects, and socioeconomic factors all limit access to quality, whole, seasonal foods.[8]

For decades, there has been a hyper-focus on the least contributing factor to weight gain – the amount of food consumed – rather than to the CM factors of constitution, quality of sleep, mental rest, timing of meals, and type of food intake. Blaming obesity on over-consumption and lack of willpower to eat a healthy, balanced diet is simply incorrect. When examined through CM theory, over-consumption is due to either Heat from Qi Stagnation, Damp – Heat, lack of nutrient absorption from food intolerances (ie, Te Bing Constitution), or inappropriate food choices not properly nourishing the body (like UPFs), rather than any emotional concern or personal fault. With Heat or Damp-Heat, the food and fluids are ‘cooked’ too quickly, leading to excess hunger and over-consumption. Lack of nutrient absorption or improper food choices – such as with the Yin Deficient individual that craves more Damp foods – also leads to excess hunger, as the body tries to find adequate fuel from inadequate sources. And to further complicate the problem of childhood obesity, getting parents on board to shift meal timing, available food choices, and emotional stress at meals will clearly impact the capacity for patient compliance.

Before we dive into the treatment of childhood obesity with Chinese medicine, let’s review some major takeaways:

  • Obesity is not due to personal fault or lack of will power,
  • UPFs and other commercial foods are a proven major contributor, and need to be eliminated or extremely limited to allow for substantial weight loss,
  • Obese people must determine food intolerances through proper testing,
  • Constitution plays a large role in determining what is a ‘healthy’ body shape and size, and
  • Mental and physical rest are critical to recovery.

Treating the Phlegm

With any case of obesity, it is critical to put Phlegm – an excess condition – at the forefront of treatment. As was mentioned earlier, Phlegm blocks proper Qi and Blood flow, disables the Qi mechanism ruled by the Liver, and interrupts proper movement of fluids pertaining to the San Jiao. Therefore, there are a few consistent treatment principles, regardless of constitution or other pattern involvement:

  • Break-up and clear Phlegm
  • Right the movements of the Qi mechanism
  • Course Liver Qi
  • Course fluids (Blood & Jin Ye)
  • Harmonize the San Jiao

These treatment principles call for acupuncture points like Stomach 25, 28, 40, GB 40, Spleen 9, Lung 5, Ren 9, and Liv 3 paired with LI 4 if the overall condition is more excess, or Pericardium 6 if more deficient. Other points would be added for symptom location, like ST 8 for headaches, or San Jiao 17 for sinus congestion. Heat is also a common concurrent pattern, since Qi Stagnation and fluid disharmony can create both excess and deficiency Heat signs; points should of course be added to address Heat as needed. With children, I often begin with needle-free teishin or tuina treatments to right the pulse and use herbs and dietary modifications as the primary modalities. My initial formula selections focus on righting the Qi mechanism; for example, combining Xiao Yao and Er Chen formulas to course, support, harmonize, nourish, and drain before starting a constitutional approach.

Of course, critical to success in every case is lifestyle. First, parents and patients must be educated about the impact of UPFs, getting them on board by eliminating or extremely limiting those foods.[9] Timing of meals should also be discussed, like breakfast before 9 am to ‘turn on’ the Stomach Qi and ending meals well before 7 pm to protect the Stomach from stagnation. Lastly, ensuring mild-moderate daily physical movement with a bit of ‘bounce’– such as jumping rope, trampolining, dancing, and walking – will help break up stagnant Phlegm, Qi, and other fluids with vibration and gentle weight-bearing.

Beyond the impact of Phlegm, you must identify the constitution of the patient to customize treatment and maximize success. Although adults may have decades of disharmony to sift through before identifying constitution, this is not the case with children. As described, there are seven different constitutional patterns to look for, each of which has specific treatment protocols and lifestyle adjustments. Constitution-specific suggestions must be combined with the principles, points, and herbs listed under general Phlegm treatment, and are meant only to stimulate ideas, not as ‘point prescriptions.’

Constitution Based Treatment

(Earth / Spleen) Qi Deficient Constitution

  • Symptoms (SX): Obese with fatigue, frequent Wind invasions, asthma, poor digestion (bloating, soft or loose bowels, fatigue after eating), mild depression, anxiety, poor posture, lack of motivation.
  • Acupuncture (ACU) with MOXA during cold or rainy weather: 4 Doors (Ren 12, 6, St 25), ST 36, Spleen 3.
  • HERBS: Si Jun Zi or Ba Zhen depending on the level of concurrent Blood Deficiency.
  • Dietary suggestions (DIET): Eliminate UPFs, time meals appropriately, limit raw and frozen foods all year, maintain digestive balance with cooked fruit and fibrous foods, and eat Qi building foods like rice, whole oats, sweet potatoes, dates, and molasses.
  • Lifestyle suggestions (LIFE): Ensure postural alignment, deep breathing, and relaxed musculature; get at least 8 hours of sleep each night; do very short periods of daily movement to build stamina and strengthen the four limbs - consider small free weights or Qigong.

Yang Deficient Constitution

  • SX: Obese with pale or slightly blue skin tone (hint: look at the skin under clothing where not exposed to the sun), exhaustion, excessive sleep, frequent urination, loose stools, feeling cold, sensitivity to cold, cold-clammy feet year-round, puffy face or leg swelling.
  • ACU with MOXA all year: 4 Doors, Ren 4, UB 23, 52, DU 4, Du 20, SI 3 – UB 62
  • Herbs: Jin Gui Shen Qi or Gui Zhi paired with Si Jun Zi or Ba Zhen.
  • DIET: Eliminate UPFs, time meals appropriately, limit cold, raw and frozen foods (except during peak Summer-Heat), use longer cooking methods (i.e. baking, crock pots, stews), and eat Yang Warming foods like cinnamon, garlic, ginger, shrimp, lamb and game meats, pistachios, walnuts, rosemary, and basil.
  • LIFE: Consistent periods of daily movement that raise heart rate but do not encourage sweat; engage in community and friendship-building; get 8 – 10 hours of sleep per night; use heating pads and wear socks, slippers, and neck coverings or long hair all year; be in sunlight for 20 – 30 minutes each day.

Yin Xu Constitution – combined with Qi Stagnation

  • SX: Obese with overall thin frame, restlessness, insomnia, sleepwalking, dryness signs (ie, mouth, lips, skin, hair, nails), pink complexion, tight tendons, speaks quickly, easily over-heated.
  • ACU: Spleen 6, Lung 7 – Kidney 6, GB 20, 21, 34.
  • HERBS: Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li, or Xiao Yao to move Qi Stagnation with Shao Yao Gan Cao, Liu Wei Di Huang, or Tian Wang Bu Xin to nourish Yin Deficiency.
  • DIET: Eliminate UPFs, time meals appropriately and avoid stress while eating, limit stimulants (caffeine, sugars) as well as dairy, gluten, and other Damp-producing foods that mimic Yin nourishment while stagnating the Middle Jiao, eat Yin nourishing foods like apples, pears, pineapple, lemon, honey, eggs, mango, asparagus, and Qi moving foods like arugula, cardamom, carrots, and chives.
  • LIFE: Consistent periods of daily movement without sweating; ensure peaceful home environment and stress reduction or self-soothing techniques; emphasize that physical and mental rest are key to recovery.

Tan Shi / Phlegm – Damp Constitution

  • SX: Obese with overall wide frame, soft-puffy skin, frequent urination, soft-loose bowels, easily sweats, lack of thirst, lack of or unusual taste, thick tongue coat, sinus congestion, poor hearing or mild headaches, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, thick vaginal discharge, delayed menstrual flow.
  • ACU (likely with MOXA): 4 Doors, SP 3, KID 7, Ren 10, 5.
  • HERBS: Er Chen, Ping Wei, Liu Jun Zi, Mu Xiang Shun Qi, Wen Dan.
  • DIET: Strictly eliminate UPFs and Phlegm – Damp producing foods (dairy, gluten, peanut butter, etc.), time meals appropriately, eat smaller meals more frequently, limit cold, raw, and frozen foods, eat foods that process and drain Phlegm – Damp like ginger, basil, mint, Job's tears (coix seeds), and adzuki beans and maintain Yin balance with ‘clear’ nourishing foods like mango, asparagus, soups, etc.
  • LIFE: Multiple, short periods of daily movement that focus on ‘bouncing’ and sweat promotion.

Shi Re / Damp – Heat Constitution

  • SX: Obese with red face, acne, irritability, anxiety, headaches, easily overheated, constipation or foul stools, concentrated urine, colored or odorous vaginal discharge, early or heavier bright-red menstrual flow.
  • ACU: LI 11, Spleen 10, Liv 2, 5, ST 44, GB 43, Lung 10.
  • HERBS: Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li, Long Dan Xie Gan, or Huang Lian Jie Du depending on the level of Heat, with Er Chen, Bi Xie Sheng Shi, or Yu Dai depending on the level and location of Dampness.
  • DIET: Strictly eliminate UPFs, time meals appropriately, avoid warming foods like chili, cinnamon, clove, shellfish, and lamb, avoid Damp-producing foods like sausages, bacon, citrus juices, dairy, sugar, and inflammatory foods like nightshades and caffeine. Eat neutral and cooling foods that process and drain Damp like mint, celery, parsley, and Job's tears (coix seeds), and avoid Heat-imbuing cooking methods like roasting and grilling.
  • Lifestyle: Consistent periods of daily movement that encourage sweating; avoid saunas, hot tubs, and excessive sunshine.

Qi Yu / Qi Depression Constitution

Note: this is quite rare in obesity

  • SX: Obese with mood swings, depression, overly reactive to stressors, excessive sighing, headaches, poor digestion (IBS, reflux, etc.), plum pit Qi, tight tendons, easily overheated, delayed, irregular, painful or stop-and-start menses, insomnia.
  • ACU: Tai Yang, GB 7, 12, 20, 21, 34, Ren 17.
  • HERBS: Mu Xiang Shun Qi, Chai Hu Shu Gan, Ban Xia Hou Po.
  • DIET: Eliminate UPFs, time meals appropriately, eat smaller meals more frequently, avoid stressors while eating, limit stimulants like caffeine and sugars, eat Qi moving foods like arugula, cardamom, carrots, and chives.
  • LIFE: Multiple periods of daily, cardiovascular movement through physical space, such as walking, biking, or running; avoid sedentary activities or take frequent breaks, encourage healthy expression of anger / frustration or finding a mental health provider.

Te Bing / Special Constitution

  • SX: Obese with allergies or chronic post-nasal drip, frequent Wind invasions, food, drug, and environmental allergies, skin concerns (eczema, rashes), autoimmune disease, delayed growth, primary amenorrhea
  • ACU (likely with MOXA): Ren 4, Kidney 3, LI 20, Yin Tang, Lu 1, 5
  • HERBS: Cang Er Zi, Pe Min Kan, Yu Ping Feng, Si Jun Zi, Jin Gui Shen Qi
  • DIET: Eliminate UPFs, time meals appropriately, avoid all cold, raw and frozen foods, eat foods that are well cooked, warm, easily digestible, and nutrient-dense
  • LIFE: Consistent, short periods of daily movement that do not encourage sweat; get 8 – 10 hours of sleep per night; use heating pads, wear socks or slippers all year, keep the neck protected against wind, cold, and dampness.

Case Studies

CASE: 12 y.o. cis female presents with shingles from inner canthus to hairline.

She has a large abdomen and puffy face on an average frame, fidgeting and talking fast, with hot-clammy-odorous feet. The rash is red, dry, and barely noticeable after western medication treatment, but still subjectively irritating. History of headaches, eczema, heart burn and stomach pains, easily overheating, 4 UTIs in the past 3 years, and varicella zoster (chickenpox) when she was only 5 weeks old. She seems comfortable with the treatment room and initial interview, but during discussion of needle-free options becomes reserved and fearful, then aggressive, shouting at her parents about not wanting to receive treatment. Tongue is swollen on the sides with large red spots, a thick coat at rear interrupted by beet-red spots, and a thin, dry, deep red tongue tip. Pulse is rapid overall, and full – overflowing in the Middle Jiao.

Diagnosed with Phlegm pathology and Shi Re / Damp – Heat Constitution, with high likelihood of a Shao Yang level latent illness.

CASE: 8 y.o. identical twin cis females present with inability to concentrate.

They have overly wide features: face, shoulders, abdomen, and extremities. They are both easily distracted, cannot follow a linear flow of conversation, and seem unaware of their physical size (keep bumping things, clumsiness, etc.). The parent reports that they have been accused of bullying at school, but the kids seem to have no awareness or understanding of their poor behavior. Tongues are swollen, puffy, pale, with a thick coat at the rear and slightly peeled at the front. Pulses are wiry-slippery-full across positions on both children.

Diagnosed with Phlegm pathology and Tan Shi / Phlegm – Damp Constitution

These two cases illustrate the differences in treatment needs based on constitution. Neither of them listed obesity as their primary health concern, but it is obvious that Phlegm is a major piece of the patho-mechanism and must be addressed. However, the treatment principles, dietary, and lifestyle suggestions in these cases are completely different: the shingles case must be cooled and drained, and the twins must have fluids transformed and orifices opened. With the twins, regular use of moxa is also indicated to help transform fluids, whereas application of strong warming techniques is contraindicated in the shingles case. Therefore, along with sharing basic information regarding UPFs, meal timing, and the importance of physical and mental rest for recovery from Phlegm pathology, identifying and treating the child’s constitutional pattern is critical to treat their primary concern while also promoting long-term wellness.

Footnotes:

Footnote 1: For a deeper perspective on the epidemic, obesity rates in the United States from the 1960s through 1980 were stable at 13 – 15% for adults, and only 4 – 5 % for children. When the initial obesity spike began in the 1980s, adult rates rose to above 20% by 1995, and 30% by 2000 – that’s double the obesity rate in 20 years. During that same period, childhood obesity rates tripled, growing to 14% by the year 2000. Another 20 years later, and in the early 2020s over 40% of the US adult population qualified as obese (which is almost 3 times the 1980 rate), and well over 20% of US children now qualify as obese (over 4 times the 1980 mark). One deeply unfortunate fact is that the burden is not shared equally: both Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children have significantly higher rates of severe obesity than White and Asian children, with socio-economic factors playing a substantial role.

Footnote 2: BMI (Body Mass Index) measurements can be misleading as they do not account for overall body composition, bone density, muscle mass, and other considerations. Understanding that any BMI reading lacks the nuance of a holistic evaluation, we can still use it as a simplistic guide to understand the differences in weight categories.

Footnote 3: New ICD-10 codes for childhood obesity were released in 2024 to help reduce stigma and support a more inclusive environment for patients, while also reducing under-coding, enhancing claims data, and improving the understanding of medical costs related to obesity. More information can be found at https://www.aapc.com/codes/coding-newsletters/my-pediatric-coding-alert/pediatric-coding-unlock-better-care-with-new-childhood-obesity-codes-179154-article

Footnote 4: Fortunately, the ‘calories in – calories out’ theory of weight gain has been updated to embrace food quality over caloric content, in large part due to the global presence of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). This new understanding shifts away from individual choice and personal blame toward an understanding that the modern food system is dominated by trans-national, for-profit, UPF corporations that are purposefully creating addictive foods.

Footnote 5: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are defined by 1) one or more ingredients that wouldn’t be found in a kitchen – such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial flavors; 2) processing techniques – like pre-frying, molding, extrusion, fractioning, and chemical alterations – to a) create a product that bears little resemblance to the original food ingredients, and b) bypasses the body’s natural sense of fullness; and 3) a specific ratio of sugar, salt, and fat to alter taste and stimulate dopamine release, leading to cravings and compulsive eating patterns. The explosion of UPFs in the American diet and subsequent global progression statistically correlate with the rise in overweight and obesity rates both nationally and internationally.

Footnote 6: This ancient understanding of Dampness does not apply to ‘unnaturally Damp (or Damp-Heat) engendering foods’ such as found in processed foods and UPFs – this will be covered later in this article.

Footnote 7: As already mentioned, US obesity rates were stable in the 1960s until 1980 at 13 – 15% for adults, and 4 – 5 % for children. The 9 classical constitution types, if spread equally, would each constitute roughly 11% of the population. Considering the inflammatory impact of undiagnosed food intolerances, it is possible that obesity prior to 50 years ago and the introduction of UPFs was consistently rooted in food intolerances and the Te Bing / Special constitution.

Footnote 8: It is important to recognize that ultra-processed foods now make up almost 75% of the US food supply and more than 60% of caloric intake for children, making them nearly impossible to avoid in one’s diet.

Footnote 9: Getting the family to change their behavior is often the hardest part of treating childhood obesity. Families where both parents work are often relying on UPFs like packaged snacks and meal prep materials, and lengthy commutes tend to push meals later in the evening. Compassionate understanding of the complexities of these factors is necessary when communicating these concepts.

CITATIONS

About the Author

Dr. Captaine Jean Lumenello, DAc (they / them) is a Classical Chinese Medicine practitioner and Qigong Master specializing in trauma resolution, autoimmune and digestive disorders, integrative oncology, and LGBTQ+ community care. Their first book, Gender & Sexuality in Chinese Medicine was released in 2020, and they are also included in the anthology Ethics for Acupuncturists. Dr. Lumenello moved their practice from Tucson, Arizona to rural Vermont over 10 years ago, where they serve as president for the Vermont Acupuncture Association, raise an amazing kid, and take daily walks with their beloved Doberman. You can find out more at CatherineLumenello.com.

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