Prediabetes Affects Millions in Korea, But Early Intervention Can Reverse It (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 28 (Korea Bizwire) — Nearly half of South Korea’s population may be at risk of developing diabetes, according to a new public health report highlighting the prevalence of prediabetes and the urgent need for lifestyle changes.
Prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet in the diabetic range, affects an estimated 15.8 million South Koreans, with an additional 6 million already diagnosed with diabetes. Despite its reversible nature, prediabetes often goes unnoticed due to a lack of symptoms, raising the risk of progression to full-blown diabetes and related complications, including cardiovascular, kidney, and nerve disorders.
A study by Professor Park Eun-cheol and Dr. Oh Yeon-woo of Yonsei University, published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, identified five key lifestyle factors linked to prediabetes among adults over 30: abnormal weight (overweight or obesity), smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and irregular breakfast habits. The analysis was based on data from Korea’s 2022 National Health and Nutrition Survey.
Among these, abnormal weight was the most significant predictor, doubling the risk of prediabetes and accounting for 22.2% of cases. Smoking raised the risk by 35%, followed by irregular breakfasts (31%), excessive drinking (27%), and physical inactivity (26%).
Crucially, researchers emphasized that reversing prediabetes requires not only weight loss but also targeted reduction of abdominal fat. A 2023 German study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that individuals who reduced both overall weight and visceral fat had a 73% lower risk of progressing to diabetes after two years, compared to those who failed to reduce belly fat.
To meaningfully reduce abdominal fat, the study recommends waistline reductions of at least 4 cm for women and 7 cm for men.
“Prediabetes isn’t a disease in itself, but it’s a warning light,” said Professor Park. “For adults under 50, excess weight and obesity account for nearly 30% of prediabetes risk. Addressing it early with focused weight and waistline management is critical to prevent the irreversible path toward diabetes.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
