Obesity Rates May Remain On The Rise In South Korea

According to a national health data released by the South Korean government, roughly one-third of South Korean adults have excessive weight and were not making an effort to shed off the extra pounds.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) released their 2014 health data that revealed that 31.5 percent of South Koreans over 19 years old were categorized as obese. The data was based on 25 kilograms per square meter body mass index (BMI). The KCDC alo measured the individual's height, body fats and weight to determine his condition.

The data surveyed more than 5,000 individuals across the country. Among the respondents who were identified as overweight, 63.5 percent said they have been engaging themselves in physical activities to lose weight while the remaining 36.5 percent said they neither tried to exercise nor diet.

Between men and women, 60 percent of men while 71 percent of women said they tried to lose weight. For men, the likelihood of becoming obese is at 37.7 percent while women are at 25.3 percent.

The KCDC said that "women made more efforts to lose weight than men, with young women in their late teens, 20s and 30s being more aggressive."

The survey data also indicated that income level is a significant contributing factor to obesity in individuals. Women who have the lowest incomes were classified as overweight compared those who have higher incomes. Men, on the other hand, who belong to the middle-lower income bracket were weighed heavier than those belonging in the high-income bracket.

Furthermore, the data showed that South Koreans spend more time on sedentary activities, reaching an average of 8.7 hours for individuals aging between 19 through 29 years old and 6.7 hours for individuals in their 60s.

The China Post reported that South Korea's obesity rate has reached its highest level based on the report issued by the National Health Insurance Corporation.