Acceptability of a Korean Medicine-Based Obesity Program Among Patients Achieving Predefined Weight-Loss Targets: A Retrospective Mixed-Methods Study

Pandey, Ayusha; Park, Dasol; Shin, Suyong; Kim, Jungsang; Kang, Minwhee; Lee, Donghun; Kim, Junho; Kim, Chunghee; Son, Jiyoung; Jeon, Seonghyeon; Bang, Minwoo; Kang, Byungsoo; Leem, Jungtae

doi:10.3390/nu18172937

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Acceptability of a Korean Medicine-Based Obesity Program Among Patients Achieving Predefined Weight-Loss Targets: A Retrospective Mixed-Methods Study

by

Ayusha Pandey

^1,†

,

Dasol Park

^2,†

,

Suyong Shin

^3,4,

Jungsang Kim

⁵,

Minwhee Kang

⁶,

Donghun Lee

⁷,

Junho Kim

⁸,

Chunghee Kim

⁹,

Jiyoung Son

^10,11,

Seonghyeon Jeon

¹²,

Minwoo Bang

^10,13,*,

Byungsoo Kang

^10,14,*

and

Jungtae Leem

^2,15,16,*

¹

Department of Digital Healthcare, Graduate School of Jeonbuk Advanced Bioconvergence Academy, Wonkwang University, 460, Iksan-daero, Iksan-si 54538, Jeonbuk-do, Republic of Korea

²

Department of Diagnostics, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, 460, Iksan-daero, Iksan-si 54538, Jeonbuk-do, Republic of Korea

³

Daeat Korean Medicine Clinic Incheonbupyeong, 17, Jubuto-ro, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon 21390, Republic of Korea

⁴

Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea

⁵

Daeat Korean Medicine Clinic Gyeonggisuwon, 141, Jungbu-daero, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si 16240, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

⁶

Daeat Korean Medicine Clinic Gyeonggiilsan, 33, Jeongbalsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si 10402, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

⁷

Daeat Korean Medicine Clinic Busan, 177, Beomil-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan 47358, Republic of Korea

⁸

Daeat Korean Medicine Clinic Daegu, 341, Dongdaegu-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu 42019, Republic of Korea

⁹

Daeat Korean Medicine Clinic Changwon, 103, Jungdongjungang-ro, Uichang-gu, Changwon-si 51380, Gyeongnam-do, Republic of Korea

¹⁰

Daeat Research Institute, 803, Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06019, Republic of Korea

¹¹

Daeat Korean Medicine Clinic Cheonan, 73-8, Buldang 23-ro, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si 31156, Chungnam-do, Republic of Korea

¹²

Daeat Korean Medicine Clinic Daejeon, 56, Dunsan-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon 35226, Republic of Korea

¹³

Daeat Korean Medicine Clinic Seoul, 803, Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06019, Republic of Korea

¹⁴

Department of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology & Dermatology, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, 1342, Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

¹⁵

Department of Il-Won Integrated Medicine, Wonkwang University Korean Medicine Hospital, 895, Muwang-ro, Iksan-si 54538, Jeonbuk-do, Republic of Korea

¹⁶

Research Center of Traditional Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, 460, Iksan-daero, Iksan-si 54538, Jeonbuk-do, Republic of Korea

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^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Nutrients 2026, 18(17), 2937; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18172937

Submission received: 30 July 2026 / Revised: 30 August 2026 / Accepted: 4 September 2026 / Published: 7 September 2026

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diets in the Care of People with Obesity)

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Abstract

Background and Objectives: Although herbal medicine-based obesity treatment programs are used in obesity management, empirical research on patient acceptability remains limited. This study examined acceptability of a Korean medicine-based obesity treatment program (KM-OBP) among patients who achieved predefined weight-loss targets in routine clinical care. Materials and Methods: Medical records and satisfaction survey data routinely collected during clinical practice at a single Korean medicine clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Patients had baseline body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² and achieved both ≥10% weight loss and BMI ≤ 23 kg/m² during follow-up. BMI trajectories and adverse-event occurrence were summarized descriptively. Satisfaction ratings were reported on a 5-point Likert scale, and free-text responses were retrospectively analyzed using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Results: Of 3798 patients with a baseline BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² and at least two BMI measurements, 37 (0.97%) met the predefined targets; 16 completed the satisfaction survey. Mean BMI change from the first to last measurement was −8.9 kg/m², and median change was −8.8 kg/m² (interquartile range, −9.6 to −7.7). Common documented adverse events were constipation, nausea, and dizziness. Satisfaction ratings were descriptively high for the overall program, perceived helpfulness for obesity treatment, and herbal medicine. Among the 16 survey respondents, perceived weight-loss benefits, program structure, safety, and health improvement were described as facilitators of acceptability, whereas post-treatment weight regain, dietary burden, and financial concerns were described as barriers. Conclusions: The findings characterize satisfaction and reported acceptability experiences among survey respondents within a highly selected target-achieving cohort. Interpretation is limited by outcome-based selection, potential non-response bias, the small survey sample, and the single-center design.

Keywords: obesity; Korean medicine; patient acceptability; retrospective chart review; mixed-methods research

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MDPI and ACS Style

Pandey, A.; Park, D.; Shin, S.; Kim, J.; Kang, M.; Lee, D.; Kim, J.; Kim, C.; Son, J.; Jeon, S.; et al. Acceptability of a Korean Medicine-Based Obesity Program Among Patients Achieving Predefined Weight-Loss Targets: A Retrospective Mixed-Methods Study. Nutrients 2026, 18, 2937. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18172937

AMA Style

Pandey A, Park D, Shin S, Kim J, Kang M, Lee D, Kim J, Kim C, Son J, Jeon S, et al. Acceptability of a Korean Medicine-Based Obesity Program Among Patients Achieving Predefined Weight-Loss Targets: A Retrospective Mixed-Methods Study. Nutrients. 2026; 18(17):2937. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18172937

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pandey, Ayusha, Dasol Park, Suyong Shin, Jungsang Kim, Minwhee Kang, Donghun Lee, Junho Kim, Chunghee Kim, Jiyoung Son, Seonghyeon Jeon, and et al. 2026. "Acceptability of a Korean Medicine-Based Obesity Program Among Patients Achieving Predefined Weight-Loss Targets: A Retrospective Mixed-Methods Study" Nutrients 18, no. 17: 2937. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18172937

APA Style

Pandey, A., Park, D., Shin, S., Kim, J., Kang, M., Lee, D., Kim, J., Kim, C., Son, J., Jeon, S., Bang, M., Kang, B., & Leem, J. (2026). Acceptability of a Korean Medicine-Based Obesity Program Among Patients Achieving Predefined Weight-Loss Targets: A Retrospective Mixed-Methods Study. Nutrients, 18(17), 2937. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18172937

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Acceptability of a Korean Medicine-Based Obesity Program Among Patients Achieving Predefined Weight-Loss Targets: A Retrospective Mixed-Methods Study

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