J Korean Med Sci.  2005 Oct;20(5):713-720. 10.3346/jkms.2005.20.5.713.

Urban and rural Differences in the Prevalence of Gender and Age specific Obesity and related Health Behaviors in Korea

• Chung SJ
• Han YS
• Lee SI
• Kang SH

• KMID: 1781750
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2005.20.5.713

Abstract

The objective of this study was to discuss the residential difference in gender and age specific prevalence of obesity by body mass index (BMI) and obesity related health behaviors in the Republic of Korea. A total of nationally representative 2,583 men and 3,087 women (age: 20-64 yr) was used as subjects from 1998 National Health and Nutrition Survey. All statistics were calculated using SUDAAN to consider a stratified multistage probability sampling design. The prevalence of obesity (BMI> or =25) was significantly different by age, gender and residential areas. Although younger men aged 20-49 yr did not show a residential difference in the prevalence of obesity, men aged 50-64 yr showed differences, highest in big cities and lowest in rural areas. However, in women, a higher prevalence was observed in rural areas compared to urban areas in the younger age group (20-49 yr), but not in the older age group. Residential differences of obesity related health behaviors existed mostly in the older population, but not in the younger population. The urban-rural differences demonstrate the various stages of behavioral transition that Korea is currently undergoing. Therefore, different strategies considering those factors are needed to manage obesity problems in Korea.

Keyword

Korea; Body Mass Index; Obesity; Health Behavior; Health Care Surveys; Nutrition Surveys; National Survey; Residence Characteristics

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Distribution
*Body Constitution
Female
*Health Behavior
Humans
Korea/epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity/*epidemiology
Prevalence
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Risk Assessment/*methods
Risk Factors
Rural Health/*statistics and numerical data
Rural Population/statistics and numerical data
Sex Distribution
Urban Health/*statistics and numerical data
Urban Population/statistics and numerical data

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The distribution of BMI in Korean men and women by age group.

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  Fig. 2 Prevalence of obesity (BMI≥25) by age and residence in men and women. The 1998 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. Result of General Linear Model were as follows: For men, Age effect, p=0.0001; Residence effect, p=0.2986; Age×Residence, p=0.0023; For, women, Age effect, p<0.0001; Residence effect, p=0.0010; Age×Residence, p=0.0001. *significant difference by ages in big city, p<0.05. #significant difference by ages in small city, p<0.05. †significant difference by ages in rural area, p<0.05. **significant difference by residences in each age group, p<0.05

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  Fig. 3 Fat intakes and exercising and intense usual activities by age and residence in men and women. The 1998 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. Result of General Linear Model were as follows: Fat intake: For men, Age effect, p<0.0001; Residence effect, p=0.0005; Age×Residence, p=0.7692; For women, Age effect, p<0.0001; Residence effect, p=0.0081; Age×Residence, p=0.3626. Exercise: For men, Age effect, p=0.1123; Residence effect, p=0.0012; Age×Residence, p=0.0006; For, women, Age effect, p=0.0049; Residence effect, p=0.0003; Age×Residence, p=0.0228. Daily activity: For men, Age effect, p=0.0009; Residence effect, p<0.0001; Age×Residence, p<0.0001; For, women, Age effect, p<0.0001; Residence effect, p<0.0001; Age×Residence, p=0.0019. *significant difference by ages in big city, p<0.05. #significant difference by ages in small city, p<0.05. †significant difference by ages in rural area, p<0.05. **significant difference by residences in each age group, p<0.05

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  Fig. 4 Smoking, drinking and weight related behaviors by age and residence in men and women. The 1998 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. Result of General Linear Model were as follows: Smoke: For men, Age effect, p=0.0024; Residence effect, p=0.2713; Age×Residence, p=0.4968; For, women, Age effect, p=0.0035; Residence effect, p=0.8918; Age×Residence, p=0.9362. Drink: For men, Age effect, p<0.0001; Residence effect, p=0.3813; Age×Residence, p=0.5073; For, women, Age effect, p=0.5402; Residence effect, p=0.8334; Age×Residence, p=0.9605. Weight control to reduce: For men, Age effect, p=0.1047; Residence effect, p=0.0017; Age×Residence, p=0.0052; For, women, Age effect, p<0.0001; Residence effect, p=0.0002; Age×Residence, p=0.0002. *significant difference by ages in big city, p<0.05. #significant difference by ages in small city, p<0.05. †significant difference by ages in rural area, p<0.05. **significant difference by residences in each age group, p<0.05

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