Obesity Is a Major Health Threat in South Korea

by Czarelli Tuason / Aug 25, 2015 11:02 PM EDT

heavyweight man eating junkfood, which is high in calories and one of the foods that could lead to obesity when taken in huge amounts

(Photo : By:Sean Gallup | Getty Images News) heavyweight man eating junkfood, which is high in calories and one of the foods that could lead to obesity when taken in huge amounts

The rate of men in South Korea who are suffering from obesity in their 20s and 30s is growing at a startling rate. As of 2013, 6.2 percent of 20-something men had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. On the other hand, 7.1 percent of Korean men in their 30s were obese.

According to a study by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), the rate of obesity among men for 2002 was 2.5 percent, increasing to 4.2 percent in 2012. This rise over the years has alerted experts to watch over the medical condition, as it becomes one of Korea's major health issues.

The study warns that if the increasing trend is not given due attention, one out of 17 men in South Korea will develop obesity by 2025. This is alarming since the condition may lead to more serious health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.

Korea has reportedly spent $2.65 billion in 2011 in an effort to provide treatment to patients suffering from obesity and other medical conditions linked to the condition. The NHIS predicted 7 trillion won would be the cost for treating the problem by 2025.

In 2014, NHIS formed a group that focused on addressing obesity in order to prevent further illnesses from developing and causing direct effect on the economy. The organization also looked into factors that contribute to obesity, such as work-related stress, sedentary lifestyle and excessive drinking of alcohol.

An article by Food Navigator Asia noted the average shots of liquor that South Koreans take on a weekly basis are 13.7, making them the heaviest drinkers across the globe.

The study conducted by the NHIS also revealed that obesity is more common in Koreans who earn less. Data in 2013 showed 4.9 percent of Koreans suffering from the condition come from the poorest 17 percent of the entire population. On the other hand, only 3.6 percent are accounted from the richest 17 percent of the population.

A study published in the Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Diabetics showed that financial problems and work-related stress are contributing to obesity among teenagers and adults. In South Korea, 410,000 unemployed youth in their 20s have been reported for the year 2015.