obesity Archives | Be Korea-savvy
South Korea’s Youth Obesity Problem Worsens as Health Risks Rise

South Korea’s Youth Obesity Problem Worsens as Health Risks Rise

SEOUL, March 11 (Korea Bizwire) — One in six South Korean students is obese, and half of these obese students show at least one risk factor for metabolic syndrome, including diabetes or hypertension, according to a comprehensive new study. The research also revealed that 20% of obese students are prediabetic. The National Health Insurance Service Research Institute’s [...]

Study Links Food Addiction to Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Obese Youth

Study Links Food Addiction to Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Obese Youth

SEOUL, March 5 (Korea Bizwire) — Recent research suggests that overweight children and adolescents with severe food addiction symptoms struggle more with emotional regulation and behavior control. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on March 4 that a research team led by Park Kyung-hee from Hallym University’s Department of Family Medicine recently published these [...]

Rising Obesity and Pre-Diabetes Rates Among Young Adults Raise Health Concerns

Rising Obesity and Pre-Diabetes Rates Among Young Adults Raise Health Concerns

SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — Nearly half of South Korean men in their 20s and 30s are classified as obese, while about 30% of young adults are in the pre-diabetes or pre-hypertension stage, according to a new study highlighting alarming health trends among the country’s younger population. The findings, published in a recent issue [...]

Growing Exercise Gap Highlights Widening Health Disparities

Growing Exercise Gap Highlights Widening Health Disparities

SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Korea Bizwire) —  A new report reveals that South Koreans with higher incomes are significantly more likely to engage in physical activities such as walking, aerobic exercise, and strength training, exacerbating health disparities linked to income levels. According to the 2024 National Health Statistics released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency [...]

South Korea Faces Rising Obesity and E-Cigarette Usage, Despite Gains in Physical Activity

South Korea Faces Rising Obesity and E-Cigarette Usage, Despite Gains in Physical Activity

SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea is grappling with a surge in obesity and e-cigarette use, even as traditional smoking declines and physical activity rates improve, according to a nationwide health survey released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The survey, conducted among 230,000 adults across 258 health centers, revealed [...]

Health Insurance Companies Introduce Coverage for Expensive Obesity Treatments

Health Insurance Companies Introduce Coverage for Expensive Obesity Treatments

SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – In response to growing demand for obesity medications, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance has launched health insurance products that cover high-cost obesity treatments, marking a significant development in the Korean health insurance market. These new plans offer coverage for GLP-1 class obesity medications, such as Wegovy and Saxenda, which [...]

South Korea Proposes Landmark Bill to Combat Rising Obesity Crisis

South Korea Proposes Landmark Bill to Combat Rising Obesity Crisis

SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – As obesity rates surge across all age groups in South Korea, lawmakers have introduced groundbreaking legislation to address what they increasingly see as a national health emergency. Representative Park Hee-seung of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee, announced today the introduction of the [...]

Alarming Rise in Obesity Rates Among South Koreans, Study Shows

Alarming Rise in Obesity Rates Among South Koreans, Study Shows

SEOUL, Feb. 21 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent study by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity reveals that 2 in 5 adults in South Korea fall into the obese category, with the prevalence of extreme obesity nearly tripling over the past 10 years. The study, utilizing data from the National Health Insurance Service and [...]

Smoking and Drinking Decline but Obesity Increases After COVID-19 Pandemic

Smoking and Drinking Decline but Obesity Increases After COVID-19 Pandemic

SEOUL, Oct. 27 (Korea Bizwire) – Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an overall improvement in public behavior, including smoking, drinking, and the utilization of medical services. Physical activity has also rebounded after reaching its lowest point. On Thursday, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released the results of an analysis of changes [...]

Half of South Korean Men in Their 30s Are Obese, with Female Obesity Rate Rising with Age

Half of South Korean Men in Their 30s Are Obese, with Female Obesity Rate Rising with Age

SEOUL, Oct. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – One out of every three adults in South Korea is obese, with the obesity rate for those in their 30s exceeding 50 percent. Regionally, Jeju Island has the highest obesity rate. On Wednesday, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) unveiled the current trends in obesity rates reported by municipal [...]