Obesity-linked Type 2 diabetes doubles in a decade, prompting urgent calls for national prevention programs. (Image created by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, May 2 (Korea Bizwire) —Type 2 diabetes is rapidly spreading among South Korea’s young adults, with prevalence rates nearly doubling over the past decade, according to a new study published in the Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, the official publication of the Korean Diabetes Association.
The research, which analyzed data from 2010 to 2020, found that the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among Koreans aged 19 to 39 rose from 1.02% in 2010 to 2.02% in 2020. By the end of that year, an estimated 370,000 young adults were living with the condition.
The increase has been particularly pronounced among those in their 30s. In this age group, the prevalence rate surged from 2.09% to 3.9% over the decade, making them the main drivers of the upward trend. The report also found that men not only had higher overall rates than women but also saw a steeper increase.
A critical concern, researchers warned, is the strong link between early-onset diabetes and obesity. As of 2020, 67.8% of young adult diabetes patients were classified as obese (with a body mass index of 25 or higher), and 31.6% were severely obese (BMI of 30 or higher). Waist circumference data pointed to rising abdominal obesity, underscoring the broader metabolic risks.
Blood sugar test (Image courtesy of Yonhap News TV)
These weight issues are compounding health complications. More than a third of young diabetic patients also suffer from hypertension, nearly 80% have dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol levels), and almost the same share exhibit signs of fatty liver disease.
The study noted a growing prevalence of serious comorbidities. Congestive heart failure emerged as the most common cardiovascular complication among young diabetics in 2020, followed by chronic kidney disease, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke.
Despite rising health risks, medical intervention remains insufficient. While prescriptions for anti-obesity medications are increasing, overall rates of pharmaceutical treatment for young diabetics remain low. When medication is used, combination therapy involving two or more drugs is becoming more common.
Health experts are calling for immediate action. They emphasize the need for young adults to take a proactive role in managing their health through weight control, healthy eating, and consistent physical activity. But they also stress that the scale of the issue demands more than individual responsibility.
“The sharp rise in early-onset diabetes underscores the urgency of national-level intervention,” the study’s authors concluded, urging policymakers to develop tailored diabetes prevention programs and expand systemic support for obesity management among younger populations.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
