This excess cholesterol is due to overeating fatty foods or excessive consumption of alcohol. All of these can result in accumulation of fat. When overweight people have excessive phlegm and dampness, it means that their fat is producing phlegm and dampness which may turn into heat. This type of deficiency is referred to as spleen Qi deficiency, or kidney Qi deficiency. Qi deficiency leads to excess of yin and yin control the body. Fat people are usually deficient in Qi.

In a word, obesity is related to the hypofunction of the spleen and stomach. In addition, there are also congenital causes and natural obesity.

Excess of the Spleen and Stomach (Simple Obesity)
Main manifestations:
Fat especially over the lumbar area
Fat from an early age or with strong muscles
Accompanying symptoms and signs:
Strong desire for food, excessive eating
Flushed face, sweating and aversion to heat
Fullness of abdomen and constipation
Tongue and pulse diagnosis:
Normal or slightly red tongue with thin yellowish coating
Forceful and slippery pulse

3. Primary Qi Deficiency
Main manifestations:
Obesity with obvious fat in glutaea
Loose leg muscles.
Accompanying symptoms and signs:
Tiredness, desire to be quiet and aversion to movement
Pale complexion, aversion to cold
Normal or poor appetite,
Shortness of breath when moving, scanty urine and edema.
Female patients can have these symptoms before or after menstrual cycle.
Tongue and pulse diagnosis:
Pale tongue with idented margins,thin and white coating
Deep thready and slow pulse