S. Korean Men Becoming More Obese Due to Drinking, Lack of Exercise

This undated file photo of a man undergoing a physical examination is captured from Yonhap News TV.

SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean men have become more obese over the past 13 years due to drinking and lack of exercise, a government report showed Friday.

The percentage of males aged 19 and over who have body mass indexes (BMIs) of 25 kilograms per square meter or over reached 44.8 percent in 2021, up from 35.9 percent in 2008, according to the report compiled by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

In particular, male adults who had a BMI of 30 ㎏/㎡ accounted for 7.6 percent of all men last year, up from 4.1 percent in 2008.

BMI is an index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify adults as overweight and obese.

Korea defines a BMI greater than or equal to 25 ㎏/㎡ as obesity and a BMI of 30 ㎏/㎡ and over as second-degree obesity.

The obesity rate for women also rose to 29.5 percent from 26.4 percent over the cited period.

The KDCA report said more educated males, most of whom are white-collar workers, showed a higher obesity rate across all age groups, while heavy drinking and physical inactivity were major factors in being overweight and obese.

(Yonhap)