Obesity
Obesity is a chronic disease in which excess body fat accumulates, and in Korea an adult BMI of 25 or higher is considered obesity. Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic in Myeongji-dong, Busan summarizes its causes, health risks, diagnosis, lifestyle, drug and surgical treatment, and how Wegovy and Mounjaro differ from fat injections.
At a glance
- Diagnostic criteria
- Korean adult BMI 25 or higher (23–24.9 overweight); waist of 90 cm or more in men and 85 cm or more in women indicates abdominal obesity
- Causes
- A combination of energy use lower than intake, genetics, lack of sleep, certain medicines and endocrine diseases
- Related conditions
- Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, some cancers
- Treatment
- Lifestyle change first; prescription medicines (such as Wegovy or Mounjaro) if needed; surgery considered for severe obesity
- Procedures to distinguish
- Decenba and V-OLET are contouring injections that reduce localized fat, not weight-loss treatments
- Published fees
- Diet treatment medicine prescription KRW 17,000; Wegovy and Mounjaro drug costs are separate (checked 2026.10.28)
What is obesity?
Obesity is not simply weighing a lot but a state in which excess body fat has accumulated, and the World Health Organization (WHO) describes obesity as a chronic disease. In Korea, an adult body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher is considered obesity, and abdominal obesity, in which visceral fat inside the abdomen rather than subcutaneous fat accumulates, is regarded as especially important.
According to the World Health Organization, 940 million people, or 16% of adults worldwide, were living with obesity in 2024, and adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990. The aim of obesity treatment is to prevent and treat obesity-related complications rather than to lower the number on the scale quickly.
Why does obesity develop?
Obesity develops when using less energy than you eat and drink continues for a long time and the extra energy is stored as body fat. However, genetic and hormonal factors involved in appetite and energy metabolism, sleep, medicines and living environment act together, so weight changes differ from person to person even with the same lifestyle.
Lifestyle
Foods high in calories, sugar and fat, sugary drinks, and spending a lot of time sitting or lying down can lead to weight gain.
Lack of sleep
Lack of sleep can increase hunger and calorie intake, so adults aged 18–64 are advised to sleep 7–9 hours a night.
Medicines
Some antiepileptic, antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs, some diabetes medicines such as insulin, and some blood pressure medicines and antihistamines can cause weight gain.
Health conditions
Endocrine diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing's syndrome and hypothyroidism, and binge-eating disorder can be causes.
Genetics and family history
Having one or both parents with obesity raises the chance of obesity, and genes also affect how much fat is stored and where.
What symptoms and health risks does obesity lead to?
Besides visible changes in body shape, obesity can cause shortness of breath and joint pain, and it raises the risk of many chronic diseases. Health risks may be greater especially when more fat is carried around the waist.
Metabolic and cardiovascular diseases
Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, heart disease, stroke, metabolic syndrome
Liver and digestive diseases
Fatty liver, gallstones, pancreatitis
Breathing and sleep
Sleep apnea, worsening asthma
Joints
Osteoarthritis of the knees, hips and ankles, gout
Reproductive and mental health
Irregular periods, polycystic ovary disease, infertility, depression
Cancer
Higher risk of some cancers such as colon, breast and endometrial cancer
Nearly 9 in 10 people with type 2 diabetes have overweight or obesity, and people at risk of diabetes may prevent or delay it by losing just 5–7% of their starting weight.
How is obesity diagnosed?
Obesity is first checked with the body mass index (BMI), weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared; by the Korean adult standard, 23–24.9 is overweight, 25–29.9 is obesity and 30 or higher is severe obesity. Because BMI cannot tell muscle from fat, waist circumference and body fat percentage are checked as well.
| Measurement | Threshold for obesity | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Body mass index (BMI) | Threshold for obesityKorean adults 25 or higher (the WHO international standard is 30 or higher) | What to considerIt cannot tell muscle from fat. |
| Waist circumference | Threshold for obesity90 cm or more in men and 85 cm or more in women indicates abdominal obesity | What to considerA supplementary measure for abdominal obesity in addition to overall obesity. |
| Body fat percentage (bioelectrical impedance) | Threshold for obesity25% or more in men, 30% or more in women | What to considerBody composition analysis shows the share of the body made up of fat. |
| Abdominal fat CT | Threshold for obesityA visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio of 0.4 or more indicates visceral obesity | What to considerUsed to analyze abdominal obesity in more detail. |
The consultation checks height, weight and waist together with related conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, current medicines, and how the weight gain developed.
How is obesity treated?
The foundation of obesity treatment is lifestyle change that adjusts eating and increases physical activity, and a first goal can be losing about 5% of body weight over 6 months. If lifestyle change alone is not enough, prescription medicines are added, and obesity surgery is considered for severe obesity with obesity-related conditions.
| Treatment | When it is considered | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle change | When it is consideredAll adults with overweight or obesity | What to considerCombine at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity with food records and regular weight checks. |
| Prescription medicines (such as Wegovy or Mounjaro) | When it is consideredAdults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with weight-related conditions | What to considerThey do not replace lifestyle change, and weight may return when they are stopped. |
| Obesity surgery | When it is consideredBMI of 35 or higher, or lower with a serious obesity-related condition | What to considerSurgery that changes the digestive system; it is not a treatment offered by Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic. |
The Korean diagnostic threshold for obesity (BMI 25) differs from the prescribing criteria for Wegovy and Mounjaro (BMI 30, or 27 or higher with weight-related conditions). The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) explains that adults who took prescription medicines as part of a lifestyle program lost 3–12% more of their starting weight after 1 year than those in the program without medicine.
What types of obesity injections are there, and how do they differ from Decenba and V-OLET?
Wegovy and Mounjaro, prescription injections for weight loss, are prescription medicines that act on hormone receptors involved in appetite and fullness to help reduce overall body weight. Decenba and V-OLET are contouring procedures that inject deoxycholic acid directly into the fat layer to reduce localized fat such as under the chin, and they are not obesity treatments that reduce body weight.
| Injection | How it works | Relation to obesity treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy (semaglutide) | How it worksActs on GLP-1 receptors and is involved in appetite control, sustained fullness and slower gastric emptying | Relation to obesity treatmentA prescription medicine considered for weight loss when prescribing criteria are met |
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | How it worksActs on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors and is involved in appetite, fullness and blood sugar control | Relation to obesity treatmentA prescription medicine considered for weight loss when prescribing criteria are met |
| Decenba | How it worksA deoxycholic acid-based injection into localized fat layers of the face and body | Relation to obesity treatmentA contouring procedure for localized fat, not a weight-loss treatment |
| V-OLET | How it worksUses deoxycholic acid (DCA) to induce reduction of moderate to severe submental fat | Relation to obesity treatmentA procedure for double chin and jawline improvement, not an obesity treatment |
The prescribing information for the U.S.-approved deoxycholic acid injection (KYBELLA) states that it is not approved for, and not recommended for, treating subcutaneous fat outside the submental region. Approval scope differs by face and body contouring product, so the product used and its approved areas are checked before the procedure.
How does Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic carry out obesity treatment?
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic in Myeongji-dong, Gangseo-gu, Busan checks body mass index (BMI), related conditions and lifestyle before deciding whether to prescribe Wegovy or Mounjaro, and provides them by prescription only. Both are injected under the skin once a week on the same day with a pen, and the dose starts low and is increased step by step.
- STEP 01
Check before prescribing
Check BMI and weight-related health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease.
- STEP 02
Check when to avoid use
Check for pregnancy or breastfeeding and a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2.
- STEP 03
Starting dose
Wegovy starts at 0.25 mg and Mounjaro at 2.5 mg.
- STEP 04
Gradual dose increase
Wegovy usually aims for a 2.4 mg maintenance dose, and Mounjaro is increased within a maximum of 15 mg while monitoring progress.
- STEP 05
Lifestyle alongside treatment
Because weight may return after stopping, eating, exercise and sleep management are planned together.
Decenba and V-OLET are discussed separately from obesity treatment when localized fat is the concern. Decenba is recommended as 3 sessions 1–2 weeks apart, and V-OLET usually as 2–3 sessions 4 weeks apart.
How should progress and self-care be managed during obesity treatment?
Because obesity is a chronic disease, eating, activity and sleep habits must be kept up long after weight is lost. Losing weight quickly with extreme methods such as fasting causes more muscle than body fat to be lost and the lost weight is hard to keep off, so weight is reduced step by step starting with a realistic goal such as 2–3 kg.
Do
Keep up at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, muscle-strengthening activity on at least 2 days a week, 7–9 hours of sleep a night, and food and activity records.
Avoid
Extreme weight loss such as fasting, and using other weight-loss products that were not prescribed together with obesity medicine
Monitoring progress
If weight has not dropped by at least 5% after 12 weeks on the full dose of medicine, the plan is reviewed.
After stopping
Some weight may return after the medicine is stopped, so a maintenance plan is made during treatment.
Which symptoms mean you should contact the clinic right away?
Get medical care right away if persistent severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting with signs of dehydration, difficulty breathing, or whole-body allergic symptoms appear while using obesity medicine. Also contact the clinic right away if difficulty swallowing, an asymmetric smile, or lasting numbness occurs after Decenba or V-OLET.
Wegovy and Mounjaro are prescription medicines, so whether to prescribe them and at what dose is decided by the medical team after a consultation; they should not be used only to improve appearance, increased or stopped on your own, or shared with others. Weight change and response to procedures differ from person to person.
How much does obesity treatment cost?
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic's published non-covered fees list a diet treatment medicine prescription at KRW 17,000 (checked October 28, 2026). Wegovy and Mounjaro are provided by prescription only, and the drug costs are not included in the clinic's non-covered fees.
For localized fat procedures, the V-OLET double-chin DCA injection is KRW 250,000 for 2 cc, and no separate Decenba item is listed. The total cost varies with medicine dose and treatment period and with the treatment area and number of sessions, and non-covered fees may change.
A note from Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic
Obesity treatment is a long process of reducing body fat and related conditions together, more than the number on the scale. Whether you need prescription medicine or whether a localized fat procedure fits are different goals, so if you share your current BMI, health status and the change you want during consultation, we will guide you to a suitable method.
Frequently asked questions
Is a BMI of 23 obese?
By the Korean adult standard, a BMI of 23–24.9 is overweight, and obesity starts at 25. However, BMI cannot tell muscle from fat, so waist circumference and body fat percentage are checked as well.
Is it obesity if my weight is normal but I have a lot of belly fat?
Even with a BMI in the normal range, a waist of 90 cm or more in men or 85 cm or more in women is diagnosed as abdominal obesity. Abdominal obesity, in which visceral fat rather than subcutaneous fat accumulates, is known to matter more for health, so waist circumference is checked separately.
Are obesity injections the same as fat-dissolving injections?
No. Wegovy and Mounjaro are obesity medicines that act on appetite and fullness to help reduce overall body weight, while deoxycholic acid injections such as Decenba and V-OLET are contouring procedures that reduce localized fat and are not weight-loss treatments.
How many kilograms should I aim to lose?
A first goal of losing about 5% of body weight over 6 months is recommended, and losing just 5–10% of body weight may improve blood sugar, blood pressure and triglycerides. Rather than rapid loss, weight is reduced step by step starting with a realistic goal such as 2–3 kg.
If I take obesity medicine, do I still need to exercise?
Yes. Weight-loss medicines do not replace physical activity and healthy eating habits, and they work best when combined with a lifestyle program. Adults are advised to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activity on at least 2 days a week.
About the clinic behind this article
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic is a board-certified plastic surgery clinic in Myeongji-dong, Gangseo-gu, Busan. Dr. Hyungseok Noh, board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director, provides care.
- Address
- Units 302–305, Building 1, 3 Myeongji-gukje 2-ro 28beon-gil, Gangseo-gu, Busan
- Main Line
- 051-711-7991
- Clinic Hours
- Weekdays AM 10:00 ~ PM 07:30Saturday AM 10:00 ~ PM 03:00Sundays & Public Holidays Closed
- Booking
- Naver Booking
REFERENCES
References
This article uses the clinic’s published information together with authoritative medical sources.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicDecenba contouring injection guide
Supports: Decenba's deoxycholic acid main ingredient, face and body treatment areas, and recommended schedule of 3 sessions 1–2 weeks apart
Three sessions at 1–2 week intervals are recommended, and the specific plan is set after assessing your condition.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicV-OLET guide
Supports: How V-OLET's deoxycholic acid works, moderate to severe submental fat as the target, and recommended schedule of 2–3 sessions 4 weeks apart
Deoxycholic acid (DCA) breaks down fat cell membranes to induce reduction of submental fat.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicNon-covered fee guide
Supports: Diet treatment medicine prescription and V-OLET 2 cc fees
Diet treatment medicine prescription KRW 17,000
- World Health OrganizationObesity and overweight
Supports: Obesity as a chronic disease, international BMI criteria, and the scale of adult obesity in 2024 and its rise since 1990
In 2024, 45% of adults 18 years and over (2.6 billion) were overweight. Of these, 940 million were living with obesity (16% of all adults).
- Asan Medical Center Disease EncyclopediaObesity
Supports: Definition of obesity, Korean BMI, waist, body fat percentage and abdominal CT criteria, symptoms, aim of treatment, and problems with extreme weight loss
A body mass index above 25 is called obesity
- NIDDKFactors Affecting Weight & Health
Supports: Factors that affect weight, such as lifestyle, sleep, medicines, health conditions and genetics
Experts recommend that adults ages 18 to 64 get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night.
- NIDDKHealth Risks of Overweight & Obesity
Supports: Obesity-related conditions, the link with type 2 diabetes and the benefit of losing 5–7%
Nearly 9 in 10 people with type 2 diabetes have overweight or obesity.
- NIDDKTreatment for Overweight & Obesity
Supports: Treatment centered on lifestyle change, initial weight-loss goal, and criteria for considering obesity surgery
For example, losing 5% of your body weight over a period of 6 months may be a good initial goal.
- NIDDKPrescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity
Supports: BMI criteria for prescription medicines and additional weight loss, the 12-week check, weight regain after stopping, recommended physical activity, and not using them only for appearance
Medications don’t replace physical activity or healthy eating habits as a way to lose weight.
- DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine)KYBELLA (deoxycholic acid) injection Prescribing Information
Supports: Approved submental scope of deoxycholic acid injection and limits on use outside the submental area; not an approval basis for Decenba or V-OLET themselves
KYBELLA is not approved for the treatment of subcutaneous fat outside the submental region, and such use is not recommended
Published 2026.10.20Last updated 2026.10.28