Diabetes Metab J.  2014 Feb;38(1):35-43. 10.4093/dmj.2014.38.1.35.

Prevalence, Awareness, and Management of Obesity in Korea: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1998-2011)

Affiliations
  • 1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea. ironeat@hallym.ac.kr
  • 2Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. bycha@catholic.ac.kr
  • 3Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 5Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 6Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 7Department of Internal Medicine, Mitochondrial Research Group, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 8Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes and several cardiovascular diseases. This study was to investigate the trends in the prevalence, awareness, and management status of obesity among the Korean population for recent 13 years.
METHODS
The prevalence, subjective awareness, and management of obesity were investigated in adults aged > or =19 years by using the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) 1998 to 2011.
RESULTS
The number of participants was 8,117, 5,826, 5,500, 3,025, 6,756, 7,506, 6,255, and 6,155 in the KNHANES in years 1998, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. The prevalence of obesity was 26.9%, 29.2%, 32.9%, 32.5%, 32.0%, 32.6%, 32.0%, and 32.0% in 1998, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively, while the overall prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity increased by 1.19-fold and 1.24-fold respectively in 2011 compared against 2001. In general, a gradual increase in the prevalence of severe obesity has been observed as years go by. Furthermore, trends of improvements in obesity awareness and management rates were visible over the period of surveys.
CONCLUSION
Although the management status of obesity has improved during the recent years, more effective strategy to control obesity is needed.

Keyword

Diabetes mellitus; Korea; Obesity; Prevalence

MeSH Terms

Adult
Cardiovascular Diseases
Diabetes Mellitus
Humans
Korea*
Nutrition Surveys*
Obesity*
Obesity, Abdominal
Obesity, Morbid
Prevalence*
Risk Factors

Figure

  • Fig. 1 The proportion by body mass index-category according to the presence of diabetes in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 1998 to 2011. (A) Nondiabetic subjects. (B) Diabetic subjects.

  • Fig. 2 The subjective awareness for obesity according to the presence of diabetes in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2001 to 2011. (A) Nondiabetic subjects. (B) Diabetic subjects.

  • Fig. 3 The management for obesity according to the presence of diabetes in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2001 to 2011. (A) Nondiabetic subjects. (B) Diabetic subjects.

  • Fig. 4 The method for weight control according to the presence of diabetes in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2005 to 2011. (A) Nondiabetic subjects. (B) Diabetic subjects.


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