South Korea
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Contextual factors
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Obesity prevalence
Trends over time
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Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Yang YS, Han B, Han K, Jung J, Son JW, TTOTOFSOTKSFTSOO. Obesity Fact Sheet in Korea, 2021: Trends in Obesity Prevalence and Obesity-Related Comorbidity Incidence Stratified by Age from 2009 to 2019. JOMES 2022;31:169-177. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes22024 |
| Notes: | Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service health checkup database (covers 97% of the population). The prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity was standardized by age and sex based on the 2010 population and housing census. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO Asia |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Nam, Ga Eun, et al. “Obesity Fact Sheet in Korea, 2019: Prevalence of Obesity and Abdominal Obesity from 2009 to 2018 and Social Factors.” Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome, vol. 29, no. 2, 30 June 2020, pp. 124–132, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7338491/, 10.7570/jomes20058. Accessed 12 Oct. 2021. |
| Notes: | Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service health checkup database. |
| Definitions: | WHO Asia |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 19+ |
| Sample size: | 6126 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Lee J, Sa J. Regional disparities in healthy eating and nutritional status in South Korea: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017. Nutr Res Pract. 2020 Dec;14(6):679-690. doi: 10.4162/nrp.2020.14.6.679. Epub 2020 Oct 7. PMID: 33282128; PMCID: PMC7683206. |
| Definitions: | World Health Organization criteria for Asians are used: 1) underweight (BMI < 18.5), 2) normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 23.0), 3) overweight (23.0 ≤ BMI < 25.0), and 4) obese (BMI ≥ 25.0) [17]. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO Asia |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Yang YS, Han B, Han K, Jung J, Son JW, TTOTOFSOTKSFTSOO. Obesity Fact Sheet in Korea, 2021: Trends in Obesity Prevalence and Obesity-Related Comorbidity Incidence Stratified by Age from 2009 to 2019. JOMES 2022;31:169-177. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes22024 |
| Notes: | Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service health checkup database (covers 97% of the population). The prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity was standardized by age and sex based on the 2010 population and housing census. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO Asia |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Yang YS, Han B, Han K, Jung J, Son JW, TTOTOFSOTKSFTSOO. Obesity Fact Sheet in Korea, 2021: Trends in Obesity Prevalence and Obesity-Related Comorbidity Incidence Stratified by Age from 2009 to 2019. JOMES 2022;31:169-177. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes22024 |
| Notes: | Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service health checkup database (covers 97% of the population). The prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity was standardized by age and sex based on the 2010 population and housing census. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO Asia |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2013-2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| Sample size: | 3315 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Kim YJ, Lee JS, Park J, et al. 'Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in five major risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the Korean population: a cross-sectional study using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2014' BMJ Open 2017;7:e014070. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014070 |
| Notes: | In paper Obesity was defined as a BMI of ≥25kg/m2, according to the criteria of Asia-Pacific region. These % relate to the BMI definitions below Overweight BMI=>25 kg/m2 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Yang YS, Han B, Han K, Jung J, Son JW, TTOTOFSOTKSFTSOO. Obesity Fact Sheet in Korea, 2021: Trends in Obesity Prevalence and Obesity-Related Comorbidity Incidence Stratified by Age from 2009 to 2019. JOMES 2022;31:169-177. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes22024 |
| Notes: | Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service health checkup database (covers 97% of the population). The prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity was standardized by age and sex based on the 2010 population and housing census. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO Asia |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2013-2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 19-65 |
| References: | Jae Yong Lee, Yi-Ryoung Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mo-Yeol Kang,Trends in Obesity Prevalence by Occupation Based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey From 1998 to 2015, Safety and Health at Work Vol 11 (1);2020:97-102 |
| Notes: | 2007-9 (marked as 2008), 2010-2012 (marked as 2011), 2013-15 (marked as 2014) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Yang YS, Han B, Han K, Jung J, Son JW, TTOTOFSOTKSFTSOO. Obesity Fact Sheet in Korea, 2021: Trends in Obesity Prevalence and Obesity-Related Comorbidity Incidence Stratified by Age from 2009 to 2019. JOMES 2022;31:169-177. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes22024 |
| Notes: | Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service health checkup database (covers 97% of the population). The prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity was standardized by age and sex based on the 2010 population and housing census. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO Asia |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2010-2012
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 19-65 |
| References: | Jae Yong Lee, Yi-Ryoung Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mo-Yeol Kang,Trends in Obesity Prevalence by Occupation Based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey From 1998 to 2015, Safety and Health at Work Vol 11 (1);2020:97-102 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Yang YS, Han B, Han K, Jung J, Son JW, TTOTOFSOTKSFTSOO. Obesity Fact Sheet in Korea, 2021: Trends in Obesity Prevalence and Obesity-Related Comorbidity Incidence Stratified by Age from 2009 to 2019. JOMES 2022;31:169-177. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes22024 |
| Notes: | Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service health checkup database (covers 97% of the population). The prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity was standardized by age and sex based on the 2010 population and housing census. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO Asia |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2007-2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Sample size: | 17126 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Kang HT, Shim JY, Lee HR et al. Trends in Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Korean Adults, 1998-2009: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Epidemilogy 2014;24(2):109-116 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 19-65 |
| References: | Jae Yong Lee, Yi-Ryoung Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mo-Yeol Kang,Trends in Obesity Prevalence by Occupation Based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey From 1998 to 2015, Safety and Health at Work Vol 11 (1);2020:97-102 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2001
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 19-65 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Jae Yong Lee, Yi-Ryoung Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mo-Yeol Kang,Trends in Obesity Prevalence by Occupation Based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey From 1998 to 2015, Safety and Health at Work Vol 11 (1);2020:97-102 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1998
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-79 |
| Sample size: | 8816 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Soon Paek H, Sook Yun Y, Yuul Park J, Seol Kim Y and Myung Choi J, (2003). Obesity, abdominal obesity, and clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in South Korea. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 12 (4): 411 - 418. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1998
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 19-65 |
| References: | Jae Yong Lee, Yi-Ryoung Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mo-Yeol Kang,Trends in Obesity Prevalence by Occupation Based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey From 1998 to 2015, Safety and Health at Work Vol 11 (1);2020:97-102 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-18 |
| Sample size: | 80,460 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Kim JH, Moon JS. Secular Trends in Pediatric Overweight and Obesity in Korea. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2020;29(1):12-17. doi:10.7570/jomes20002 |
| Definitions: | The NSHE data was analyzed using the 2007 growth charts, which defined overweight as BMI ≥85th percentile and <95th percentile for the corresponding sex and age, and obesity was defined as BMI ≥95th percentile for the corresponding sex and age or BMI ≥25 kg/m2 |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 2-18 |
| Sample size: | 1441 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Kim JH, Moon JS. Secular Trends in Pediatric Overweight and Obesity in Korea. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2020;29(1):12-17. doi:10.7570/jomes20002 |
| Definitions: | BMI status was defined by sex- and age-specific percentiles: normal (BMI<85th percentile), overweight (85th percentile≤BMI<95th percentile), and obesity (BMI≥95th percentile). Height, weight, and BMI were converted to z scores by using the 2017 Korean National Growth Charts. |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2016-2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 10-18 |
| Sample size: | 1256 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Lee JH. Prevalence of hyperuricemia and its association with metabolic syndrome and cardiometabolic risk factors in Korean children and adolescents: analysis based on the 2016-2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Korean J Pediatr. 2019;62(8):317-323. doi:10.3345/kjp.2019.00444 |
| Definitions: | BMI status was defined by sex- and age-specific percentiles: normal (BMI<85th percentile), overweight (85th percentile≤BMI<95th percentile), and obesity (BMI≥95th percentile). Height, weight, and BMI were converted to z scores by using the 2017 Korean National Growth Charts. |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2013-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 10-17 |
| Sample size: | 2685 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Heo S, Kwon S, Lee YM, Shin JY, Lee DH. Comparison of Trends in Blood Pressure and the Prevalence of Obesity Among Korean and American Adolescents: A 12-Years Cross-sectional Study. J Prev Med Public Health. 2020;53(1):45–55. doi:10.3961/jpmph.19.198 |
| Notes: | NB. Combined child data estimated. These estimates were calculated by weighting male and female survey results. Weighting based on World Bank Population % total female (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS - accessed 20.11.20) |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2010-2012
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 10-19 |
| Sample size: | 5418 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Bahk J, Khang YH. Trends in Measures of Childhood Obesity in Korea From 1998 to 2012. J Epidemiology Vol. 26 (2016) No. 4 P 199-207 |
| Notes: | IOTF cut off (other cut offs available) |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2003-2003
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-17 |
| Sample size: | 1083 |
| Area covered: | Sub National |
| References: | Matsushita Y, Yoshiike N, Kaneda F, Yoshita K and Takimoto H. (2004). Trends in childhood obesity in Lee K, Lee S, Kim SY, Kim SJ and Kim YJ. (2007). Percent body fat cutoff values for classifying overweight and obesity recommended by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) in Korean children. Asia Pac Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 16(4): 649 - 655. |
| Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
% Adults living with obesity, 2009-2019
% Adults living with overweight or obesity, 1998-2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | Jae Yong Lee, Yi-Ryoung Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mo-Yeol Kang,Trends in Obesity Prevalence by Occupation Based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey From 1998 to 2015, Safety and Health at Work Vol 11 (1);2020:97-102 |
| Notes: | 2007-9 (marked as 2008), 2010-2012 (marked as 2011), 2013-15 (marked as 2014) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with obesity, 1998-2014
Women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | Jae Yong Lee, Yi-Ryoung Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mo-Yeol Kang,Trends in Obesity Prevalence by Occupation Based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey From 1998 to 2015, Safety and Health at Work Vol 11 (1);2020:97-103 |
| Notes: | 2007-9 (marked as 2008), 2010-2012 (marked as 2011), 2013-15 (marked as 2014) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | Jae Yong Lee, Yi-Ryoung Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mo-Yeol Kang,Trends in Obesity Prevalence by Occupation Based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey From 1998 to 2015, Safety and Health at Work Vol 11 (1);2020:97-103 |
| Notes: | 2007-9 (marked as 2008), 2010-2012 (marked as 2011), 2013-15 (marked as 2014) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
