It has been reported that South Korea has the highest childhood and adolescent obesity rate among the four East Asian countries: South Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan.

A joint research team led by Professor Hong Yong Hee of the Department of Pediatrics at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital utilized youth obesity rate data from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration to compare and analyze the obesity rates of children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 in the four East Asian countries from 2010 to 2022.

According to the analysis, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among South Korean children and adolescents was 43% for boys and 24.6% for girls, the highest among the four countries.

In the case of youth in South Korea and Taiwan, the proportion of those with normal body weight and those who are overweight decreased. In contrast, the proportion of underweight and obese youth increased, indicating a growing polarization between weight categories.

The proportion of South Korean children and adolescents in the normal weight range was 55% for boys and 77.3% for girls, significantly lower than that of the other three countries. The research team analyzed this as a "warning sign for the health of children and adolescents in Korea."

The team also emphasized, "In all four East Asian countries, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was highest among children aged 10 to 11," adding, "Active intervention and mediation before the age of 10 to 11 are necessary."

Professor Hong stated, "The increase in childhood and adolescent obesity leads to complications such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, which heighten the chronic disease burden on society." He added, "Not only obesity but also being underweight can negatively affect the health of children and adolescents. Therefore, attention must be paid to the decline in the proportion of children and adolescents with normal body weight, a key indicator directly linked to the health of South Korean youth."

Professor Lee Yoon of Korea University Anam Hospital expressed concern, stating, "Compared to China, Japan, and Taiwan, which have similar physical conditions to us, the health of South Korean children and adolescents is more worrisome." He stressed needing "a review of related policies and increased interest and efforts from experts."

This study was published in the international academic journal PLOS ONE, which is based in the United States.

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