Key facts
- 34.4% of South Koreans aged 19+ were obese in 2024.
- Obesity rates increased slightly from 32.2% in 2021.
- Men's obesity rate was 41.4%, compared to 23% for women.
- Over 50% of men in their 30s and 40s were obese.
- A BMI of 25 or higher defines obesity in South Korea.
SEOUL, June 14 (Yonhap) -- One out of three South Koreans was obese as of 2024, with obesity rates among men in their 30s and 40s exceeding 50 percent, according to data released Sunday by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The survey, which included 230,000 participants aged 19 and older, found the national obesity rate stood at 34.4 percent in 2024. This marks a slight increase from 32.2 percent in 2021 and a significant rise from 26.3 percent in 2015. South Korea defines obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher. The KDCA data indicated that men's obesity rate was 41.4 percent, substantially higher than the 23 percent recorded for women. Specifically, men in their 30s and 40s reported obesity rates of 53.1 percent and 50.3 percent, respectively. These rates gradually decreased with age, falling to 26 percent for men aged 70 and older. Conversely, women in their 30s and 40s had obesity rates around 21 percent, with the figure peaking at 27.9 percent among those in their 70s. The report also highlighted differences based on living arrangements: men living alone had a slightly lower obesity rate (39.9%) compared to those living with family members (41.7%). In contrast, women living alone were marginally more likely to be obese (23.6%) than those living with others (22.9%). The KDCA emphasized the need for customized obesity prevention policies tailored to specific demographic groups, genders, and regions.