Wind, Women, Stones, and 'Ttungbo'... Jeju, Highest Obesity Rate

One in Three Korean Adults Is Obese
Nearly Half of Men in Their 30s Are Obese
Obesity Rate Increases with Age Among Women

One in three adults in South Korea is obese, with the obesity rate among men in their 30s exceeding half. Among regions, Jeju recorded the highest obesity rate.

The obesity rate is the proportion of people whose body mass index (BMI, unit kg/m²), calculated by dividing weight (kg) by the square of height (m), is 25 or higher, including overweight, obesity, and severe obesity. Last year, the adult obesity rate in Korea was 32.5%, which is 0.3 percentage points higher than 32.2% in 2021.
[Photo by Getty Images]

On the 18th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced detailed analysis results of self-reported obesity rates by local governments based on the Community Health Survey to raise awareness about obesity.

The obesity rate is the proportion of people with a body mass index (BMI, unit kg/㎡) of 25 or higher, calculated by dividing weight (kg) by the square of height (m), including overweight, obese, and severely obese individuals. Last year, the adult obesity rate in South Korea was 32.5%, up 0.3 percentage points from 32.2% in 2021.

Until now, the obesity rate had been steadily increasing but slightly decreased from 31.8% in 2018 to 31.3% in 2020. However, due to reduced physical activity caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the rate rose again starting in 2021.

Highest Obesity Rate by Age Group Found in 30s

The obesity rate has continuously increased, slightly decreasing from 31.8% in 2018 to 31.3% in 2020, but it rose again from 2021 as physical activity declined due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
[Photo by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency]

By age group, the obesity rate was highest among those in their 30s at 35.8%, followed by 34.1% in their 40s and 31.5% in their 50s.

By gender, the obesity rate for men was 40.2%, significantly higher than the 22.1% for women. Among men, the obesity rate was 38.8% in their 20s, then surged to 51.4% in their 30s, meaning about one in two men in their 30s is obese. The rates then gradually decreased to 48.1% in their 40s, 40.1% in their 50s, 33.0% in their 60s, and 27.9% in their 70s.

The sharp increase in obesity rates among men in their 30s is analyzed to be due to less exercise compared to their 20s, increased alcohol consumption, and longer periods of sitting during full-time work life.

For women, the obesity rate increased with age: 15.5% in their 20s, 19.0% in their 30s, 19.7% in their 40s, 22.7% in their 50s, 27.6% in their 60s, and 30.6% in their 70s.

Obesity Rate by Region: Jeju Highest at 36.5%

Among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, 13 experienced an increase in obesity rates. Ulsan recorded the largest increase, with its obesity rate rising by 2.4 percentage points to 33.4%. This was followed by Chungbuk, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam in order of the largest increases. The obesity rate improved in four areas: Incheon, Daejeon, Daegu, and Gwangju. Incheon saw a decrease of 1.9 percentage points, recording 32.6%.
[Photo by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency]

By region, Jeju had the highest obesity rate at 36.5%, while Sejong had the lowest at 27.7%. Jeju also recorded the highest rate of 36.0% in 2021, with Sejong again the lowest at 27.5% that year.

Among the 17 provinces and metropolitan cities nationwide, 13 saw worsening obesity rates. Ulsan’s obesity rate increased by 2.4 percentage points to 33.4%, marking the largest increase. This was followed by Chungbuk, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam in terms of growth. The regions where obesity rates improved were Incheon, Daejeon, Daegu, and Gwangju. Incheon’s rate dropped by 1.9 percentage points to 32.6%.

Based on the average obesity rates from 2020 to 2022 by city, county, and district, the highest rates were found in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon at 40.2%, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon at 39.8%, and the eastern part of Seogwipo-si, Jeju at 39.6%.

The lowest rates were in Seo-gu, Daejeon at 23.5%, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi at 23.6%, and Suseong-gu, Daegu at 24.6%. The difference in obesity rates between the highest, Cheorwon-gun, and the lowest, Seo-gu, was 16.7 percentage points.

The KDCA plans to conduct in-depth research based on these analysis results to identify the causes of the rising obesity rates.

Director Ji Young-mi advised, "Obesity is a disease with low awareness despite its high risk and can lead to serious illnesses. Individuals should maintain awareness and consistently manage their health through healthy diets and regular exercise."

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