Press Release

One in Three Korean Adults Is Obese, a 30.8% Increase Over the Past Decade

- KDCA releases in-depth analysis of adult obesity using “2024 Korea Community Health Survey” data.

- One in three adults is obese; Jeonnam and Jeju show the highest obesity rates, while Sejong shows the lowest.

- Although the rate is still below the OECD average, obesity continues to rise in Korea.

- Considering obesity is one of risk factors causing cancer, controlling diet and leading healthy lifestyle habits are key to prevention.

Osong, 10 November 2025 ━ The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced that one in three Korean adults (34.4%) is obese, with the highest rates found in Jeonnam and Jeju (36.8%), and the lowest in Sejong (29.1%).

Korea’s adult obesity rate has shown a steady upward trend. In 2024, about one in three adults (34.4%) was obese—an approximately 30.8% increase compared to ten years ago, when one out of four adults (26.3%) was obese (self-report survey). The obesity prevalence was 41.4% in men and 23.0% in women, meaning men were about 1.8 times more likely to be obese. Among men, the obesity rate was particularly high among those in their 30s (53.1%) and 40s (50.3%), with one in two being obese. Among women, the obesity rate was higher in older adults, particularly those in their 60s (26.6%), and 70s (27.9%).

Meanwhile, one in two adults (54.9%) reported that they perceived themselves as obese. Among adults who were actually obese, 77.8% of men and 89.8% of women well knew about their condition. However, even among adults who were not obese, 13.0% of men and 28.2% of women perceived themselves as obese, indicating a larger discrepancy between perceived and actual body size among women than men.

The data also showed that three in five adults (65%) tried to lose or maintain weight. Among individuals with obesity, 74.7% of men and 78.4% of women reported that they attempted weight control. Among those without obesity, attempts to control weight were still high with men 42.0% and women 64.6%, showing women are 1.5 times more likely to try to manage their weight than men. Weight-control efforts declined progressively with age in both groups.

Globally, obesity rates continue to rise. Many countries have witnessed steady increases in obesity rate over recent decades, and obesity has become a major public health issue not only in high-income nations, but also in developing countries. According to the OECD health statistics, Korea’s obesity rate (36.5%) remains lower than the OECD average (56.4%). However, due to lifestyle changes and increasing Western-style dietary habits, the upward trend is expected to continue, underscoring the need for continued monitoring and tailored health-promotion policies.

Recently, highly effective medications to treat obesity have drawn significant attention. However, relying solely on medication without proper diet control and physical activity may lead to nutritional deficiencies, muscle loss, reduced bone density, and metabolic disorder. Consequently, once individuals discontinue their medications, weight may rapidly rebound and metabolic health may worsen compared to pre-treatment levels. Therefore, individuals must engage in a balanced, low-calorie diet and regular exercise, maintaining healthy lifestyle even when using anti-obesity medications.

KDCA Commissioner Dr. Seung-kwan Lim noted, “With the increased use of obesity medications, public interest in weight control and dieting has grown. As obesity is an underlying condition for chronic diseases, we are committed to providing accurate and reliable statistics on obesity-related perceptions.” 

He also added, “KDCA will continue strengthening the evidence base not just for obesity, but also for chronic disease prevention and control through Korea Community Health Survey and Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to promote public health. We will also operate Field Management Training Program (FMTP) for chronic-disease specialists so that local public health centers can implement evidence-based health programs. Additionally, we will continuously identify and share best practices of local health programs to further improve the nation’s overall health.”