Rising Obesity Rates in South Korea
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a concerning trend in South Korea. As of 2024, one in three adults in the country is classified as obese, with the self-reported obesity rate reaching 34.4%. This marks a significant increase compared to 26.3% a decade ago, reflecting a rise of approximately 30.8%.
The disparity between genders is evident. Men have a higher obesity rate at 41.4%, compared to 23.0% for women. This means men are about 1.8 times more likely to be obese than women. Among men, those in their 30s (53.1%) and 40s (50.3%) show the highest rates, with nearly half of them being obese. In contrast, women in their 60s (26.6%) and 70s (27.9%) have relatively higher obesity rates.
Perceptions of Obesity
Interestingly, about 54.9% of the total adult population in South Korea considers themselves obese. Among those who are actually obese, 77.8% of men and 89.8% of women perceive themselves as such. However, there is a notable gap between perception and reality. Approximately 13.0% of men and 28.2% of non-obese individuals also believe they are obese, indicating that women tend to have more discrepancies between their actual body type and their self-perception.
Weight Control Efforts
Efforts to manage weight are widespread. Around 65% of the adult population has attempted to lose or maintain weight. The data shows that 74.7% of men and 78.4% of women who are obese have tried to control their weight. Even among non-obese individuals, 42.0% of men and 64.6% of women have attempted weight control, highlighting that women are significantly more proactive in this area—about 1.5 times higher than men.
In both groups, the likelihood of attempting weight control decreases with age. This suggests that younger adults are more likely to engage in weight management activities than older individuals.
Regional Variations
Obesity rates vary across regions. Jeonnam and Jeju have the highest obesity rates at 36.8%, while Sejong has the lowest at 29.1%. Over the past decade, all 17 metropolitan cities and provinces have seen an increase in obesity rates. Jeonnam recorded the largest increase, rising by 11.4 percentage points from 25.4% in 2015 to 36.8% in 2024. Ulsan and Chungnam followed closely.
On the other hand, Sejong showed the most moderate increase, with only a 2.9 percentage point rise (from 26.2% in 2015 to 29.1% in 2024). Daejeon and Gangwon also experienced relatively low increases.
Global Context and Future Outlook
Despite these trends, South Korea’s obesity rate of 36.5% remains below the OECD average of 56.4%. However, experts emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and the development of tailored health policies. With lifestyle changes and the adoption of Western diets, the situation requires attention.
Lim Seung-kwan, head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, highlighted the growing public interest in weight control and diet, especially with the increased use of obesity drugs. He stated that the CDC aims to provide accurate statistics on obesity-related perceptions and continue producing evidence for chronic disease prevention through community health surveys and national health nutrition surveys.
Additionally, the CDC plans to conduct training for chronic disease specialists (FMTP) to implement evidence-based health projects in front-line health centers. This initiative will also focus on identifying and promoting best local health practices to improve overall public health.
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