Our Neighborhood's Obesity Problem Worsens... Yangsan-si Launches Diet Program for 'Hwakjjinja'

Implementing the Mission to Reduce Body Mass Index by '1' with the 'I Lose Weight Alone' Program

Notice for the 'I Pull Out Alone' Program in Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Why is the obesity rate among citizens of Yangsan, Gyeongnam like this?

Yangsan City, Gyeongnam, has launched the ‘I Lose Weight Alone’ program for obesity prevention and management starting from the 2nd of this month and will operate it throughout the year. This proactive health project is being implemented in response to the fact that Yangsan’s obesity rate is higher than the national average and very high even within Gyeongnam.

The program aims to raise awareness of the importance of preventing obesity and metabolic syndrome and to provide systematic health management, as weight gain and decreased physical activity have become evident since the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Eligibility to participate is open to any Yangsan citizen aged 18 to 64 with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher. Interested individuals can register by phone and then visit the Health Promotion Room on the first floor of the Yangsan City Health Center.

Applicants will undergo a preliminary survey, body composition analysis, and blood tests including blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol on the same day. Afterwards, participants will carry out a 12-week non-face-to-face mission with the health center to reduce their BMI by ‘1’. Upon achieving the goal, they will receive health management products as a gift.

Kang Kyung-min, director of the health center, stated, “In 2020, Yangsan’s obesity rate was 34.2%, higher than the national average of 31.3% and Gyeongnam’s 30.7%, so active management is necessary. Especially for chronic disease patients such as those with obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, who are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection compared to the general population, it is essential to strictly follow quarantine rules and never neglect personal health management.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.