South Korea's Health Crisis Deepens: Obesity, Drinking, Smoking Surge Among Men
Alarming trends in South Korea's health landscape have emerged in 2024, with middle-aged men and older adults displaying rising rates of high-risk behaviors and health issues. The country's obesity crisis, particularly among men, has worsened, while heavy drinking, smoking, and diabetes prevalence have also surged.
The government study revealed that nearly half of all Korean men are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above. This figure is particularly concerning for men in their 40s, where the obesity rate stands at 61.7 percent. This is a significant increase from the previous year, with a jump of 11.5 percentage points, and a staggering 16.1 percentage points higher than in 2015.
The overall obesity rate in men has also risen, increasing by 3.2 percentage points from the previous year. Meanwhile, the obesity rate in women has decreased by 1.6 percentage points, highlighting the stark gender disparity in this health crisis.
High blood pressure, another indicator of poor health, affects 26.3 percent of men and 17.7 percent of women. Additionally, 13.3 percent of men and 7.8 percent of women have diabetes, reflecting an increasing trend in diabetes prevalence. The rate of high-risk drinking among adults stands at 13.6 percent.
The rising trends in obesity, heavy drinking, smoking, and diabetes among middle-aged men and older adults in South Korea are cause for concern. These high-risk behaviors and health issues can lead to severe complications and increased healthcare costs. Urgent public health interventions targeting this demographic are crucial to reverse these alarming trends.
