(Image : Pixabay)
SEOUL, July 18 (Korea Bizwire) — An increasing number of South Koreans are visiting hospitals to seek treatment for eating disorders, primarily caused by the social pressure to maintain a thin figure.
According to data submitted by the National Health Insurance Service to Rep. Shin Hyun-young of the Democratic Party, 4,115 South Koreans were diagnosed with bulimia last year, marking a 32.4 percent increase from 2018.
Among the 4,115 cases, women accounted for 89.6 percent.
When sorted by age, 40 percent were in their 20s, followed by individuals in their 30s (21.5 percent) and 40s (13 percent), as well as teenagers (10.8 percent).
There were 3,084 individuals newly diagnosed with anorexia last year, indicating a 44.4 percent increase from 2018. Of these cases, 75.7 percent were women.
When sorted by age, individuals in their 70s or older accounted for 37.6 percent, followed by teenagers (23.3 percent), individuals in their 20s (12.2 percent), those in their 60s (9.6 percent), and individuals in their 30s (6.7 percent).
In particular, the number of teenage patients has doubled in the last four years.
Experts have suggested that the reduced social activities during the pandemic may have contributed to the increasing number of teenagers struggling with anorexia.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
