More than 80% of diabetic patients in their 30s in South Korea are reported to be obese. This shift from the previously prevalent 'thin diabetes' to 'obesity-related diabetes' in recent years indicates a concerning trend. Experts emphasize the growing need for integrated treatment that combines blood sugar management with weight loss.
Kangbuk Samsung Hospital announced on May 22 that a research team led by Professor Park Se-eun from the Department of Endocrinology published an analysis of the current state of diabetes in South Korea in the March 2026 issue of the Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.
The research team conducted a detailed examination of obesity among adult diabetes patients based on the Diabetes Fact Sheet 2025.
The findings revealed that 52.4% of adult diabetes patients in South Korea are obese (with a BMI of 25 or higher). The obesity rate was particularly high among younger patients, with 81.3% of those in their 30s and 76.7% in their 40s classified as obese. This is more than double the obesity prevalence of 38.3% among diabetes patients aged 65 and older.
Abdominal obesity is also a significant concern. Among all adult diabetes patients, 61.1% were found to have abdominal obesity, with rates of 78.4% in patients in their 30s and 73.1% in those in their 40s. Abdominal obesity is known to increase insulin resistance, complicating blood sugar control and raising the risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease.
Professor Park stated, "The increase in young diabetes patients can be attributed to a Westernized diet and decreased physical activity leading to obesity. When obesity-related diabetes begins at a young age, the duration of exposure to complications can be longer and more severe." He further emphasized that integrated treatment, which addresses both blood sugar levels and weight loss, is essential.
As the trend of diabetes combining with obesity becomes more pronounced among younger populations, treatment paradigms are shifting. Approaches that manage not only blood sugar but also weight, dietary habits, exercise, and metabolic disorders are expected to gain importance in the future.
Meanwhile, the obesity treatment market is rapidly expanding. According to global healthcare market research firm IQVIA, the global obesity treatment market, valued at approximately $30 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to $200 billion by 2030.
The domestic market is also experiencing rapid growth, recording a 51% increase in the first half of last year compared to the same period the previous year, reaching a size of 270 billion won.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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