The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents has been rapidly increasing over the past decade, leading Korea to become an increasingly obese nation. Experts anticipate this trend to worsen in the future, urging the need for countermeasures.

According to the “2023 Obesity Fact Sheet” published by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity on Tuesday, the prevalence of obesity among boys increased about 2.5 times from 10.4 percent in 2012 to 25.9 percent in 2021, and that of girls increased about 1.4 times from 8.8 percent to 12.3 percent.

In 2021, the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents was 19.3 percent or nearly one in five children.

"The social and economic loss due to obesity among children and adolescents is 1.36 trillion won ($1.02 billion)," said Professor Heo Yang-im, public relations director at the society. "Korean children and adolescents are increasingly consuming sugars, including soda, and decreasing their consumption of vegetables and other food that can prevent obesity. The obesity rate is expected to increase further, as outdoor play disappears, sleeping hours become irregular, and time spent watching media such as TV and computers increases."

The age-specific prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is 21.4 percent for children ages 10 to 12 and 21.7 percent for teens ages 16 to 18. Pediatric obesity is medically defined as weighing more than 20 percent more than the standard weight for height for the age group, usually infancy to adolescence, or having a body mass index (BMI) in the top 5 percent for the same age group.

Like adults, the prevalence of abdominal obesity in children and adolescents has continued to increase over the past decade, with the prevalence of abdominal obesity among children and adolescents in 2021 at 17.3 percent. Among boys, the prevalence of abdominal obesity was 22.3 percent, a 3.1-fold increase from 2012; among girls, the prevalence was 12.1 percent, a 1.4-fold increase from 2012.

"Obesity in childhood and adolescence increases the chances of developing diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and death in middle age, so it must be managed," said Professor Hong Yong-hee, chairperson of the Pediatric and Adolescent Committee of the society.

In addition, adolescent obesity is likely to cause emotional problems, such as an inferiority complex, depression, low self-esteem, and negative self-view, so active management and treatment are necessary, the society added.