Recent findings indicate that one in three adults in South Korea is obese, with the obesity rate among adults rising nearly 27% over the past decade. Notably, over half of men in their 30s and 40s are classified as obese, while the obesity rates among young adults are increasing sharply, exacerbating health inequalities across regions.
Lee Seung-kwan, head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KCDC), warned that obesity poses a significant health threat that can lead to chronic diseases. He emphasized the need for tailored management strategies that reflect local characteristics, alongside individual lifestyle changes.
On November 9, the KCDC released an in-depth analysis of obesity trends based on the '2025 Community Health Survey.' According to the report, the national obesity rate for adults aged 19 and older is projected to reach 35.4% by 2025, a 7.5 percentage point increase from 27.9% in 2016, representing a relative change of 26.9%.
Trends in Adult Obesity Over the Past Decade
From 2016 to 2025, the adult obesity rate has shown a consistent upward trend, rising from 27.9% in 2016 to 31.8% in 2018, 32.2% in 2021, 33.7% in 2023, and finally 35.4% in 2025. During this period, the percentage of individuals who perceive themselves as obese increased from 41.4% to 45.1%, and the annual attempts to control weight rose from 59.0% to 68.5%. However, these efforts have not curbed the rising obesity rates. Conversely, the underweight rate decreased from 5.2% in 2016 to 4.2% in 2025.
Analysis of obesity risk factors revealed that individuals who do not engage in strength training are 1.3 times more likely to be obese (odds ratio of 1.28). Other contributing factors include sleeping less than six hours (1.2 times), skipping breakfast (1.1 times), not walking (1.1 times), and alcohol consumption (1.1 times).
Obesity Rates Among Men and Young Adults
Gender disparities in obesity rates are pronounced. The obesity rate for men stands at 42.5%, nearly 1.9 times higher than that of women at 22.9%. Men peak in obesity rates at ages 30 (52.1%) and 40 (53.1%), with rates declining in older age groups. In contrast, women have the lowest obesity rate in their 20s (16.4%), which gradually increases with age, peaking at 27.4% in those over 70.
Notably, the surge in obesity rates among young adults over the past decade is striking. The obesity rate for men in their 20s rose from 29.7% to 42.6%, a 12.9 percentage point increase, reflecting a relative change of 43.4%. For women in their 20s, the rate increased from 10.2% to 16.4%, marking the highest relative change of 60.8% across all age groups. Most age groups saw worsening obesity rates, with the exception of women in their 60s, where the rate decreased by 3.2 percentage points (-10.9%).
The analysis also highlighted a mismatch in weight perception. Among those who are actually obese but do not recognize it, 36.0% made no attempts to control their weight, with the majority being men (77.4%) aged 60 and older. Conversely, 39.0% of those who are underweight mistakenly perceive themselves as obese and attempt unnecessary weight loss, with 80.6% of this group being women, primarily in their 30s and 40s.
Regional Disparities in Obesity Rates
Obesity rates have increased in all but one of the 16 cities and provinces, excluding Sejong City. As of 2025, the highest obesity rates are found in Ulsan (38.2%), Jeonnam (38.0%), and Gangwon (37.4%), while the lowest rates are in Sejong (29.4%), Daejeon (29.8%), and Seoul (30.2%). Ulsan saw a significant increase of 12.2 percentage points (from 26.0% to 38.2%) over the past decade, followed by Jeonnam with a 9.7 percentage point increase (from 28.3% to 38.0%) and Jeju with a 9.1 percentage point increase (from 28.2% to 37.3%).
In the last three years (2023-2025), disparities among basic local governments (cities, counties, districts) have become even more pronounced. The highest obesity rates were recorded in Cheorwon County, Gangwon (44.2%), Danyang County, Chungbuk (42.9%), and Boeun County, Chungbuk (42.7%). In contrast, the lowest rates were in Gwacheon City, Gyeonggi (23.6%), Bundang District, Seongnam (24.1%), and Suseong District, Daegu and Seo District, Daejeon (both 24.3%), revealing a gap of up to 20.6 percentage points.
Comparing the top 10 and bottom 10 regions for obesity rates, those in the higher obesity categories reported significantly lower average household incomes (3.77 million won vs. 6.83 million won), walking participation rates (36.0% vs. 64.5%), and strength training participation rates (20.5% vs. 34.4%). Additionally, the diagnosis rate for chronic diseases (hypertension or diabetes) was 40.6% in high-obesity areas, compared to 24.1% in low-obesity areas, indicating a direct correlation between obesity rates and residents' health and chronic disease prevalence.
Lee Seung-kwan stated, “This in-depth analysis confirms that the obesity rate among South Korean adults has been steadily increasing over the past decade, particularly among men in their 30s and 40s, and highlights the significant rise in obesity rates among young adults. Given that obesity is a major health issue that increases the risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, it is crucial to foster proper body awareness and regular physical activity.” He further emphasized the need for local governments and related agencies to implement tailored prevention and management policies that reflect the characteristics and environments of local residents.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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