A new study reveals South Korea’s adult obesity rate has risen to 38% in 2023, up from 31% in 2014, with childhood obesity more than doubling over the same period, posing a growing public health challenge.

The "2025 Obesity Fact Sheet," compiled by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO) and led by Professor Han Kyung-do of Soongsil University, analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Service (2014-2023) and national nutrition surveys. It found obesity rates surged among men from 39% to 50%, while women’s rates grew from 24% to 28%. Abdominal obesity, linked to serious health risks like diabetes and heart disease, reached 24% overall, with 42% prevalence among those in their 30s and 40s.

Childhood obesity showed strong parental influence: boys were more likely to be obese if their fathers were, while girls were impacted more by obese mothers. Girls’ obesity peaked at 27% at age 17. Severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35) now affects 3% of young men and 2% of young women, with young men’s rates tripling in a decade.

The study highlighted health risks, noting obese individuals face a 5.2 times higher risk of sleep apnea, 3.1 times for metabolic syndrome, and 1.3 times for depression among women. However, obesity was linked to a slightly lower risk of osteoporosis. Han emphasized that obesity is becoming an "intergenerational health inequality," urging stronger prevention strategies for adolescents.

The KSSO calls for refined BMI classifications and integration of cancer and genetic data to guide future health policies, as South Korea grapples with this escalating crisis.