1 in 6 Korean youths obese, with half at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure: study

Korea Herald

09-03-2025

About 1 in 6 South Korean students are obese and nearly half of those have at least one risk factor for a metabolic disorder, a study showed Sunday.
According to the Health Insurance Research Institute under the National Health Insurance Service, the obesity rate among elementary, middle and high school students was 16.7 percent, while the figure for preschool children aged 1-6 years old stood at 8.3 percent, as of 2023. Overweight children and students made up 17.7 percent and 27.3 percent, respectively, in the same year.
In Korea, individuals with a body mass index between 23 and 24.9 are defined as overweight, while 25 and above are seen as obese.
The research team analyzed raw data, including health screenings for infants and student health checkups, from an estimated 2,033,033 younger children and 5,209,029 teenagers nationwide in the cited year.
The same institute further analyzed the obese students' blood test results and found that nearly half had at least one risk factor for metabolic disorders. Some 20.2 percent of the obese students were in the prediabetes stage, while 1.1 percent were in the diabetic stage. Additionally, 16.4 percent were in the prehypertension stage, while 6.5 percent were suspected to have high blood pressure.
Local experts warned about the complications linked to obesity, calling for a proactive approach to the health of younger generations.
"Obese kids are at a higher risk for a range of complications like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. And lately, we're seeing these issues pop up more often in teens, even before they become adults," said professor Ryu In-hyuk of the pediatrics department at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital.
"When it comes to obesity in kids and teens, medications shouldn't be the first choice, even if there are complications. Rather than focusing on rapid weight loss, the key is to improve eating and lifestyle habits in a healthy way."
A separate study that came out this month highlighted that obesity has negative effects on the mental health of young people.
A research team led by professor Park Kyung-hee from the Department of Family Medicine at Hallym University analyzed the link between food addiction and behavioral issues and found that 44 out of 224 obese children and adolescents, who were at high risk for food addiction, struggled with low self-esteem and poor family functioning, including limited emotional support and communication within their families.
Park added, "Obese children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral issues are more likely to develop food addiction tendencies, so it's important to understand, assess and intervene carefully in these cases."