One in three South Koreans was obese as of 2024, with obesity rates among men in their 30s and 40s exceeding 50 percent.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency compiled the data from a survey of 230,000 participants aged 19 and older. The obesity rate rose slightly from 32.2 percent in 2021 and 26.3 percent in 2015.
South Korea defines obesity as a body mass index of 25 or higher. The rate for men reached 41.4 percent, compared with 23 percent for women. Men in their 30s recorded 53.1 percent and those in their 40s 50.3 percent.
The agency said policies to address obesity require a customized approach based on demographic groups and gender, along with more detailed strategies tailored to different regions. Men living alone showed a lower obesity rate than those living with family.
