A survey revealed that one in three Korean adults falls beneath medical standards for weight problems, and greater than half of males of their 30s and 40s are overweight. Whereas the general weight problems charge has elevated almost 1.3 instances over the previous 10 years, high-risk teams are increasing amongst younger males.
The Korea Illness Management and Prevention Company (KDCA) introduced on Nov. 10 the outcomes of an in-depth evaluation of grownup weight problems charges based mostly on Neighborhood Well being Survey knowledge. This survey was carried out final yr concentrating on roughly 230,000 adults aged 19 and older throughout 258 cities, counties, and districts nationwide.
Based on the survey, adults with a physique mass index (BMI) of 25 or increased, similar to medical weight problems, accounted for 34.4% of the whole. This represents a major improve from 26.3% in 2015, that means weight problems prevalence has risen almost 1.3 instances in simply 10 years.
Males’s weight problems charge was notably excessive at 41.4%, roughly 1.8 instances increased than girls (23.0%). By age group, greater than half of males of their 30s (53.1%) and 40s (50.3%) had been identified as overweight, indicating that extreme weight problems dangers are concentrated amongst comparatively youthful populations. In distinction, girls confirmed a bent for weight problems charges to extend with age, recording the very best figures of their 60s (26.6%) and 70s and older (27.9%).
Concerning weight problems consciousness, there have been additionally distinct variations in notion between genders. Amongst those that had been truly overweight, 89.8% of ladies and 77.8% of males had been conscious of their weight problems, whereas amongst those that weren’t overweight, girls (28.2%) had a a lot increased charge of perceiving themselves as overweight in comparison with males (13.0%). Concerning this, Prof. Yoon Younger-sook of the Division of Household Drugs at Ilsan Paik Hospital interpreted, “Weight problems notion and weight management conduct fluctuate in keeping with social and cultural expectations and financial background,” including, “Look-focused views towards girls might have had an affect.”
Efforts to scale back weight problems had been discovered to be energetic amongst each women and men. Responses indicating “tried weight reduction or upkeep throughout the previous yr” reached 74.7% for males and 78.4% for ladies. Nonetheless, precise prevalence developments proceed to rise.
Regional variations in weight problems charges had been additionally distinct. Amongst metropolitan-level areas, South Jeolla Province had the very best charge at 36.8%, whereas Sejong had the bottom at 29.1%. On the primary native authorities degree, Danyang County in North Chungcheong Province recorded the very best at 44.6%, whereas Gwacheon Metropolis in Gyeonggi Province recorded the bottom at 22.1%. Prof. Yoon analyzed, “That is the results of structural elements equivalent to regional aged inhabitants proportions and bodily exercise environments.”
The KDCA emphasised, “Weight problems prevalence is rising worldwide, and South Korea is not any exception,” including, “Though nonetheless decrease than the Group for Financial Cooperation and Improvement (OECD) common, steady administration is required attributable to life-style modifications and Westernization of diets.” Based on OECD statistics, South Korea’s obese and weight problems charge amongst these aged 15 and older was 36.5% final yr, 20 share factors decrease than the OECD common (56.4%).
Weight problems is recognized as a key threat issue that causes varied ailments past easy weight points. It’s intently linked to cardiovascular ailments, Kind 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal issues, in addition to main cancers together with colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers. Weight acquire causes modifications in metabolic, hormonal, and immune capabilities, adversely affecting general well being.
The KDCA emphasised, “Even a 5-10% weight discount can enhance metabolic perform and decrease illness threat,” including, “With the current surge in curiosity in weight problems medicines, life-style enhancements combining dietary management and train have to be applied collectively.”
