Average weight of 19-year-old Korean males increases… obesity rate rises by 8 percentage points in 10 years
According to recently released data, the average weight of 19-year-old Korean males has steadily increased over the past decade. Currently, the average weight of a 19-year-old Korean male is 73.37kg, which is an increase of approximately 3.93kg compared to 10 years ago.
The obesity rate based on Body Mass Index (BMI) has also risen noticeably. The percentage of those with a BMI of 25 or higher has increased by 8 percentage points, from 23% in the past to 31% now. Conversely, the proportion of those maintaining a normal weight has decreased from 49% to 41%, indicating that greater attention to health management is needed.
Experts are concerned about the impact this weight gain will have on health. According to the study results, the obese group showed differences in metabolic health indicators compared to the underweight group, such as higher systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol levels.
These results suggest that weight management starting from adolescence is crucial for health in adulthood. Experts emphasized that efforts to maintain health through proper lifestyle habits, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise, are necessary.