Yoon Mi-ae faces health crisis with 9.9% HbA1c level

Yoon Mi-ae is facing serious medical conditions including diabetes and thyroid cancer after struggling to lose weight gained 10 years ago. Her recent health examination revealed a fasting blood sugar of 209mg/dL and an HbA1c of 9.9%, levels that could lead to diabetes-induced shock.

Even in the sweltering heat approaching 33 degrees Celsius, Yoon Mi-ae continues to run on the playground. While she has attempted various exercises such as yoga, swimming, and table tennis with the goal of walking 10,000 steps daily, the weight she gained after giving birth to her second daughter 10 years ago has been difficult to lose. She explains that her habits of eating leftover food from childcare, enjoying late-night snacks, and lying down immediately after meals have caused her weight gain.

HbA1c of 9.9%: A health red light beyond simple obesity

Her obesity has escalated beyond a mere physical issue into serious medical conditions. Starting with obesity, Yoon has faced a health crisis including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and thyroid cancer. With knee joint pain making it difficult even to climb stairs, the sole reason she cannot stop her attempt to diet is for her young daughter, who would be left alone.

The results of her actual health examination were far more serious than expected. Body composition analysis showed excessive fat accumulation in the upper body and abdomen, with visceral fat directly linked to her cholesterol levels. The most concerning point is her blood sugar level; her fasting blood sugar reached 209mg/dL, and her HbA1c, a key indicator for diabetes management, was 9.9%. This is a very dangerous level that could lead to diabetes-induced shock and emergency room transport. It was also noted that her blood has become viscous and sticky, increasing the risk of vascular diseases such as cerebral infarction or myocardial infarction.

A diet for her daughter and why the mother's "tomorrow" repeats

After exercising, Yoon's daily life is centered around her young daughter's schedule. Her daily routine involves preparing snacks and playing with her daughter when she returns from school. When choosing meal menus, she prioritizes her daughter's tastes, which results in meals consisting mainly of fried foods like tonkatsu and sausages. Yoon explains that she uses vegetable oil for the sake of her diet, but she ultimately finishes her meals by eating fried food together with her child.

To her daughter, her mother's daily life is one of deciding to diet only to give up every time, saying, "I will do it tomorrow." While the daughter encourages her to diet, saying she needs to be healthy, Yoon struggles between her repeated decisions to diet and her subsequent failures after meals.

The trap of summer dieting and the danger of bad fats

Experts point to seasonal factors as one of the difficulties Yoon is experiencing. In the summer, when temperatures rise, the body consumes less energy to maintain body temperature; therefore, even if there is a lot of sweating, actual calorie consumption decreases, creating an environment where it is easy for fat to accumulate. Additionally, improper fat intake is a factor that hinders weight loss.

While fat is an essential nutrient for hormone production and cell membrane composition, excessive intake of saturated fats and trans fats is fatal. Saturated fats, which are abundant in animal fats and processed foods, raise LDL cholesterol and cause cardiovascular disease, while trans fats are classified as the worst type of fat, reducing good cholesterol and raising bad cholesterol. In fact, the intake of saturated and trans fats is a factor that increases mortality rates, and it has been shown that the ratio of saturated fat intake in our diet has increased significantly in recent years.

Source: TVCHOSUN JOY (YouTube)