Diabetes Metab J.
2026 Mar;50(2):255-266. 10.4093/dmj.2025.1162.
Diabetes Fact Sheet 2025: Special Edition on Diabetes with Obesity and in Pregnancy
- Affiliations
-
- 1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 2Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 3Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chosun University Hospital, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea
- 4Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- 5Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea
- 6Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
- 7Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea
- 8Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- 9Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- KMID: 2578785
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2025.1162
Abstract
- Background
We evaluated epidemiologic trends and clinical characteristics in Koreans with diabetes and obesity and in those with diabetes in pregnancy.
Methods
We analyzed Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2012–2023) to assess obesity trends in people with diabetes and used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database (2013–2023) to evaluate diabetes in pregnancy.
Results
Among Korean adults with diabetes (≥19 years), 52.4% had obesity and 61.1% had abdominal obesity. Only 39.9% achieved the glycemic target (glycosylated hemoglobin <6.5%). The obesity prevalence was higher in younger age groups, and abdominal obesity showed an upward trend over the last 12 years. Diabetes in pregnancy increased despite declining total births, with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rising from 7.6% to 12.4%, and pregestational diabetes from 0.9% to 2.1%, reflecting older maternal age and pre-pregnancy obesity. Women with prior GDM had a higher risk of postpartum type 2 diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio, 6.07; 95% confidence interval, 5.97 to 6.17).
Conclusion
Obesity and abdominal obesity are highly prevalent among Korean adults with diabetes, with abdominal obesity increasing over the past decade, and obesity disproportionately affects younger adults. Diabetes in pregnancy has also increased with older maternal age and worsening pre-pregnancy metabolic health, underscoring the need for early weight-focused prevention.
Keyword
- Full Text Links
-
- Actions
-
Cited
- CITED
-
- Close
- Share
-
- Similar articles
-
- Prevalence and Current Status of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Korean Adults Based on Fact Sheets 2024
- Prevalence and Current Management of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Korean Adults Based on Fact Sheets
- 2025 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diabetes
- 2025 Obesity Fact Sheet for Korea: Prevalence of Obesity, Abdominal Obesity from 2014 to 2023 and Prevalence of Chronic Disease by Obesity Status
- Nursing Management in Diabetes during Pregnancy
