A composition for inducing differentiation into beige adipocytes from white adipocytes, including butein, a butein derivative, or a pharmaceutically available salt thereof as an active ingredient, and a method of inducing the differentiation are provided. Increases in expressions of UCP-1 and PRDM4 are confirmed using the active ingredient, that is, the butein or butein derivative, and therefore the composition is expected to be used in preventing or treating obesity, and more basically, for target treatment.