1 in 5 Children and Adolescents Are Obese, Exploring the Reasons

The Korean Society for the Study of Obesity Publishes 'Obesity Fact Sheet'
Abdominal Obesity Increases 3.1 Times in Boys, 1.4 Times in Girls↑

Similar to adults, the prevalence of abdominal obesity among children and adolescents (ages 6 to 18) has continuously increased over the past decade. One in five children and adolescents are obese, and a significant number also suffer from abdominal obesity.

According to the '2023 Obesity Fact Sheet' published by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity on the 6th, the prevalence of abdominal obesity among children and adolescents in 2021 was found to be 17.3%. Pediatric and adolescent obesity is medically defined as having a weight that is more than 20% above the standard weight for height from infancy to puberty, or having a body mass index (BMI) in the top 5% for the same age group.

(This photo is not directly related to the article.) [Photo source=Pixabay]

Over the past 10 years, the prevalence among boys increased approximately 2.5 times from 10.4% in 2012 to 25.9% in 2021, while among girls it rose about 1.4 times from 8.8% to 12.3% during the same period. Looking at obesity prevalence by age group in children and adolescents, as of 2021, 21.4% of children aged 10 to 12 and 21.7% of adolescents aged 16 to 18 were obese.

The prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity among children and adolescents varied by region. Gangwon Province had the highest rates, followed by Chungbuk and Busan.

Regarding this, Huh Yang-im, Director of Public Relations at the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity and Professor of Family Medicine at Bundang CHA Hospital, stated, “The socioeconomic cost lost due to obesity problems among children and adolescents amounts to 1.36 trillion won. The consumption of sugary drinks such as carbonated beverages among Korean children and adolescents is increasing, while the adoption of dietary habits that can prevent obesity, such as vegetable intake, is decreasing.” She added, “Outdoor play has disappeared and sleep patterns have become irregular. As time spent watching media such as TV and computers increases, obesity rates are expected to rise further.”

[Photo by Korean Society for the Study of Obesity]

Hong Yong-hee, a member of the Pediatric and Adolescent Committee of the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity and Professor of Pediatrics at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, emphasized, “The more obese children and adolescents are, the higher the likelihood they will suffer from diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in middle age, and the risk of death also increases, so management is essential.”

There is a warning that obesity in children and adolescents requires caution because an increase in the number of fat cells can lead to adult obesity.

Meanwhile, as a preventive measure for pediatric obesity, it is recommended to monitor daily calorie intake and nutrients. It is advised to consider carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and to separately categorize milk and dairy products and the vegetable and fruit groups for dietary reference. Additionally, appropriate exercise suited to physical activity levels, including adequate sleep time, is necessary.

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